Sow: In pots to prevent seed being eaten before germination. Will germinate at 4 degrees C but 10 degrees better. Sow February in pots, avoid March (to avoid pea moth) then sow April in pots or direct in soil. For maximum harvest sow (1) early type in February, (2) maincrop in April and (3) early type (quick maturing) dwarf variety in June/July.
Aspect: Deep, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Like cool, damp days; hot weather stops flower production.
Care: All but very dwarf varieties need staking. Peas benefit from being pinched out. Can grow and over-winter crop of mangetout in a greenhouse.
Water: When in flower and pods are forming; too much water early on makes too much leaf at expense of flower.
Pest control: Autumn sowings rarely wrothwhile but guaranteed free of pea moth. Avoid sowing in March as resulting plants will flower in June/July when pea moth most active.
Harvest: Earliest sowings can be picked in May. keep picking as pods left on plants will shorten cropping season. When crop is over, cut tops at ground level, leaving roots in soil to gain nitrogen.
Don't grow by: Onions or potatoes.
