Saturday, March 27, 2010
pea trellis??
I checked on my peas yesterday and they're not up yet. I should put up a trellis soon. It works best to put it up when you plant the peas or very soon after sprouting. I haven't decided what to use yet. After using 10 or 12 different trellis solutions, I have yet to find one that I really like. I have 3 types planted so far: 2 ft, 2 1/2 ft, and 3 ft vines. Any suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
Here's a comment Betsy from soundcircusmusic left on another post
"We've kept it simple - pound in two large stakes on either side of the raised bed, and wrap trellis netting around each side, stapling to one side, then stretching to the other. I was going to get going today but it is 23 degrees in the Berkshires! Betsy"
Sounds good! But then do you dispose of the netting after use? Or is reusable?
I'm trying pea sticks this year. I planted Sugar Ann, so they're about 2.5 to 3 ft, I think. And we're in the mid-atlantic, so we have tons of snow-damaged trees and shrubs=many sticks from which to choose. I found some multi-branched twigs, about 2 ft. high, probably.
I use half a cattle panel propped against two posts. You can get the panels at home depot. I had them cut one in half so I have two - can't remember the exact dimensions but I think they are about 4' x 8' (after cutting). I use one vertically for sugar snap peas (the shell peas don't seem to need support) and I prop the other one lengthwise at an angle against two posts and grow cucumbers on it.
I had to find someone with a truck to get them in the first place, but I've used them for several years and like the fact that they are sturdy and indestructible - no rust, no birds tangled in trellis, or waste at the end of the season, easy to clean up.
I used sticks last year, but found it difficult to reach in to pick and weed. I probably should have spaced my rows more.
I love the idea of no tangled trellis. One year I used trellis and had to extract a bird from it. And its just messy at the end of the year. Guess I didn't stretch it tight enough. But what's a cattle panel? I will have to look this one up.
I used to put in stakes and string jute twine between them--compostable with the pea vines. But not really sturdy. Now, I buy those light wire "decorative" fences. The one I have this year is 10' long. I have to pull the plants off to store each year but it works well. They usually come in different heights.
I planted peas three weeks ago. I think it was too wet. Only about a fourth of them came up so I guess I'll have to plant again. I never planted them before so Im thinking I planted them too soon.
I planted peas three weeks ago. I think it was too wet. Only about a fourth of them came up so I guess I'll have to plant again. I never planted them before so Im thinking I planted them too soon.
I, too, use cattle panels. They need something to lean up against...but work great. This year I'm trying something new...pecan tree branches that we trimmed from the tree. We just stuck them in the ground and will let the vines climb up as they may. Not sure how it will work as this is the first try...but I thought it was a fun way to recycle! Here's a link to how they look (bare as of yet...but not for long!) if you'd like to see them.
http://giveagirlafig.blogspot.com/2010/03/crazy.html
I use fallen sticks. Form V's 4" apart and spaced about 4" from each other. Free and looks good: http://veggiegardenblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/pea-brush-post.html
Definitely dispose of the netting after use - it is a tangled mess and needs to be trashed as it'll mess up the compost pile. It's cheap.
We throw out the netting - it becomes a tangled mess. It's cheap the hardware store.
I use t-posts every few feet and string twine between them. But I only put peas in the back of my wide rows so the pea area is only 1' wide. Even with it that thin I still have trouble getting to it all.
I use tomato cages. I bought several when I was a new gardener. I hate them for tomatoes, but I use them to trellis peas, and to cage pepper plants.
Just some green medal fence stacks and some string. Think I am using the same string from three years ago. Never understood the reason for buying trellis for peas and beans. Maybe for cukes and melons due to their weight (the green fence stacks would also have to be upgraded).
I am a bit south of Boston and have put my peas under a tunnel or hoop frame. Peas are up but lets see how the freeze the next couple of days affects things. Had a lot of luck with the hoop house methods and hope to put up a full size hoop house this summer/fall.
I plant my peas filling a 4 x 10 foot bed. Usually the deer eat mine before they reach trellising height, but this year I'm eating peas!
I'm considering cattle panels as horizontal trellises across the beds. I'm thinking if I put one about 19-20 inches off the ground that would work nicely.
I also love the look of sticks. Very traditional. I just read recently that this was the old way of doing it since peas are planted about the same time trees are pruned.
Kathy:
I use cedar (because it will not leach) 1" x 2" strips in a raised bed. I purchased the cedar from Home Depot. I just made a frame with angle brackets in each corner to give it structure. Then I used trellis netting (also at home depot) and stapled it to the frame. You can screw the frame into the side of your raised bed during the season, and unscrew it in the fall for storage during the winter. Also, if you "train" your peas to grow up the trellis, they will grow taller and produce a bit longer then they do without the trellis. I'd add a foot to the height for your variety just to be safe.
I netted nylon cord with a homemade cardboard shuttle and gauge. It's made in about 8' sections, 4' high and has 6" squares so it's easy to reach through. I pound in uprights and tie on cross-pieces. The net is then lashed at the top and sides. The nets were fun to make (you can tell which was first because the mesh is wonky) and have already lasted for several years. The slickness makes it easy pull off dead vines.
Enamelled copper wire - the old 'neo-victorian' approach. Works fine; and you can slide the creepers off in a couple of seconds once season is done.
I grow my peas and beans against a wall and a fence respectively, so I just hang trellis netting off existing structures. I'm relieved to hear that you don't have any peas sprouting yet either. I was starting to get worried, but I planted the day after you.
I was searching too, and came across these lovely pics of this raised bed garden & how they are trellising beans and peas (and growing greens underneath)
http://www.beekman1802.com/general/easy-durable-raised-bed-trellising.html
Those are EXCELLENT photos! I love them! Here's a clickable link:
http://www.beekman1802.com/general/easy-durable-raised-bed-trellising.html
My peas are about finished now. I've used bamboo sticks wrapping twine to support the peas. Everything can be composted or re-used. Just re-purpose garden sticks.
What are your plans for tomato supports? I'm thinking of trying to string my tomatoes.
i visit some sites and its about garden wind spinner and garden accessories . i think this will help you and your peas .
Post a Comment