Pea Hurst Green Shaft (RHS Award of Garden Merit)

When to Sow Hurst Green Shaft Seeds

April to May

Where to Sow

Prepare a flat bottom drill 5cm (2in) deep and 10cm, (4in) wide.

What to do next

Space seeds 5cm (2in) apart throughout the drill allowing 60cm (24in) between the drills, then cover over with soil and gently tamp down with the back of a rake. It is advisable to give some net protection against birds, once seedlings start to grow, then add some net support for plants to climb and hold the crop. Alternatively very early spring sowings can be made in February or March into a length of plastic gutter or modular cells under glass and then planted out against wires. Slide contents of gutter into a shallow drill made in the plot or space modular plants 10-15cm(4-6in) apart once hardened off.

Maturity

July to September

Handy Tip

As plants grow and the crops mature, stems can get quite heavy, especially after rain so plants may require extra tying to the support netting.

Nutritional Values

A good source of Pro-Vitamin A and Vitamins C, B1 and folic acid.