Sow peas from March onwards, and you'll be eating sweet, tender peas straight from the pod all through the summer months.
What to do
Prepare a planting site by digging over your plot and adding compost or well-rotted manure. Make sure the ground is warm and dry before sowing.
Sow seeds in a flat trench, 5cm (2in) deep and 25cm (10in) wide. Water the trench first, then sow the seeds 5-7cm (2in) apart in three rows along the trench.
Peas are climbers and many old varieties reach heights of 200cm (80in). Put supports in place before young plants become top-heavy.
Regular picking is essential for a truly fresh pea. Harvest from the bottom of the plant working upwards.
Do not pull the plant after harvesting, as the roots are full of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Cut off the stems at ground level and allow the roots to rot down.
Time needed
30 minutes to prepare planting site and make cane support
