## Growing peas from seed — UK garden method If you mean **vegetable peas**, they are one of the easier crops to grow from seed, provided the soil is not cold, wet or compacted. ### Best time to sow peas - **Main sowing:** **March to June**, with outdoor sowing usually most reliable from **April** in much of the UK. - **Autumn sowing:** In mild, sheltered gardens you can sow hardy pea varieties in **October/November**, but they need free-draining soil and protection from mice, birds and wet weather. - **For Carmel’s garden now — October:** I would only sow peas now if you have a sheltered, well-drained spot or a cold frame. Otherwise, wait until spring for stronger results. --- ## How to sow peas outdoors ### 1. Prepare the soil Choose a sunny, open position. - Remove weeds. - Break up the soil to a fine tilth. - If the ground is heavy or wet, avoid sowing directly until spring. - Work in compost or well-rotted organic matter if the soil is poor. Peas dislike sitting in cold, wet soil, so good drainage matters. ### 2. Make a shallow drill Use a taut garden line to make a straight row. - Make a flat-bottomed drill about **5 cm deep**. - Space peas roughly **5–8 cm apart**. - If sowing a double row, leave about **15–20 cm between the two rows**. - Leave enough space between rows for access and picking. ### 3. Cover and firm Cover the peas with soil, then firm gently with the back of a rake. Water with a fine rose if the soil is dry. ### 4. Protect the seed Peas are very attractive to mice and birds. Use one or more of the following: - Pea netting - Chicken wire laid over the row - Cloches - Twigs or pea sticks - Seed trays or guttering started under cover --- ## Sowing peas in trays or guttering This is often safer than sowing straight into the ground, especially early in the season. 1. Use clean trays or lengths of guttering with drainage holes. 2. Fill with seed compost or John Innes seed compost. 3. Sow peas about **5 cm apart**. 4. Water lightly with a fine rose. 5. Keep in a cool greenhouse, cold frame or sheltered place. 6. Plant out when seedlings are around **8–10 cm tall** and the roots hold the compost together. Clean trays are important, as old trays can carry disease into young seedlings. More general seed-sowing guidance is available from GardenAdvice here: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/mygardenteam-demo/sowing-seeds-vegetable-and-flower-seeds/ --- ## Supporting peas Peas need support as they grow. Use: - Pea sticks - Netting - Bamboo canes and string - Wire mesh Put supports in early, before plants flop over. --- ## Feeding and watering - Peas do not need heavy feeding. - Avoid too much high-nitrogen fertiliser, as this gives leafy growth at the expense of pods. - Water well when flowering begins and while pods are swelling. - Mulch around plants in dry weather to hold moisture. --- ## Harvesting Pick peas regularly once pods are full. - Frequent picking encourages more pods. - Young peas are sweeter. - If pods are left too long, the plant may stop producing. --- ## Quick summary For best results: - Sow mainly from **April onwards outdoors**. - Use clean trays or guttering for earlier sowing. - Protect from mice and birds. - Give supports early. - Water well once flowers and pods form. - Pick regularly. If you meant **sweet peas** rather than edible peas, the method is slightly different — but October is actually a good month to sow sweet peas under cover.