I always do something to help peas germinate. I have had success with soaking 12 to 24 hours, or putting them on a damp paper towel, and covering them with a damp paper towel. This year things keep getting in the way. The first time I tried I soaked the seeds, and then something came up and I didn't get to them, and they were mush. Take Two, soaked for 12 hours. Plant in the garden covered with a with a chicken wire tent, and in cow pots just in case. 2 seeds sprouted in the garden, one is doing well. Only a few sprouted in the pots, and by the time I realized critters were snacking on the pea shoots, and probably the seeds I was down to 2 pots. Third times a charm right? I hope so. I knew it was going to be a busy week so I decided to do the paper towel method. Good thing too because it was several days before I got a chance to plant them. Ideally the seed would barely start to sprout. Mine are well beyond that. This has taught me a valuable lesson. The the root and the shoot come out of the same place. I have always put the root down. From now on I will lay the root sideways. Who knew? I don't think putting the root down prevented the pea from growing, but I imagine it took longer to go around the seed, and up.
I don't know why the seeds in the garden didn't germinate, maybe because we had several 100 plus days in September. Maybe it was a watering issue? I built a cage for the seed table to keep the critters out.
I hope these changes do the trick, because we love peas.
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Pea with root and shoot
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This is what I like to plant
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
I also learnt that it's good to pre-soak peas before planting, but this year we had quite a bit of rain right around when we wanted to sow them and decided to just put them straight in the ground. They grew beautifully, so in our climate at least pre-soaking isn't necessary, although I guess it might be different in California...
I like to soak the pea seeds first mostly becaues I feel that it gives them a head start against all the critters that want to eat the sprouting seed. Once they are a proper seedling they are a little less vulnerable (albeit still a tasty little morsel for some critters). Given that in nature the seeds would be all ways up, I don't think the orientation will make a big difference.
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