One of the shelling peas grew up on the wrong side of the bird netting. Sad, but a nice reminder that all the effort setting up the structure was worth it. #peas #sparrows #gardening #pisum #birds #allotment

From the archives but resharing because it's that time of year: my blog post on protecting pea plants from birds. And soon I'll post pics of my new and improved pea cage. #peas #gardening #garden #pisum #birds #allotment #blog #VegetableGardening https://colinpurrington.com/2024/05/birds-are-eating-my-pea-plants/

The pea harvest a few days ago was so good I couldn't close the bag. Made pasta primavera but with 5x the amount of peas. #GrowYourOwn #garden #gardening #allotment #peas #pisum

Last year around this time I was complaining almost daily about the birds (sparrows, cardinals, finches) that were eating my pea shoots. Over the winter I added netting and that has reduced but not eliminated the problem. Apparently the birds would rather spend hours finding small gaps in my structure than just going over to my neighbor's unprotected peas. Also, blue jays have decided to take the string that holds everything together, which is not helping. #GrowYourOwn #allotment #garden #gardening #peas #pisum #birds

I harvested the first peas yesterday! Not enough for a meal but they will still be the featured item for tonight's dinner. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. USDA Zone7b. #peas #pisum #allotment #garden #gardening

'Magnolia Blossom' pea flower doing its thing, looking attractive. #GrowYourOwn #peas #pisum #flowers #allotment #garden #legume

Convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) on one of my pea trellises. Adults can consume up to 100 aphids per day according to some sources. Also: adorable and bring good luck! #marienkäfer #glückskäfer #beetles #insects #macro #peas #garden #ipm #aphids #pisum #coccinellidae

It's been raining for the past four days and the peas are blissed out and growing fast, with some likely hitting 6' soon. Pods are also plumping up and a handful might be ready TODAY. Swarthmore, PA. Zone 7b. #GrowYourOwn #peas #pisum #gardening #garden #allotment

I'VE GOT PEAS! They need some time to plump up but I'm hopeful for a harvest before June. This is Burpee's 'First 13' variety. It's a rather short plant so a bit of a waste for my 7' trellis panels, but I've grown them before and they are delicious. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. USDA Zone 7b. #GrowYourOwn #peas #pisum #garden #gardening #allotment

In promising news, one of my 'First 13' peas has clasped the trellis. Burpee says that the variety can have 13 peas per pod — the genetic maximum for the species — but last year (2nd pic) they tended to have only 9 or 10. Still delicious, and a great producer, so I don't feel cheated. #peas #pisum #garden #gardening