PLANT PEAS EARLY IN SEASON Delicate vegetable has long history PEAS DATING. back to -upprex- imately 9750 B.C. are said to have been discovered near the Burma- Thailand border. The Egyptians are known to have cultivated them, among other vegetables, : around 2000 B.C.) In' any case, this delicate vegetable has’ been around for a jong time. Today, it is almost in- conceivable that. any vegetable garden would not include them. Peas:are a cool weather crop and the, seeds should be planted as ear- ly as possible in the spring 'so'that weather gets too hot. A good rule of thumb is to plant them just as soon as the earth can be worked. Peas are casy to grow and are one of the hardiest of vegetables. They should be included in any vegetable garden for that reason alone, — Peas do not require fertilizer nor should they be given any, When plants are about three in- ches high, it is a good idea ‘to give them a little support. As they grow they will require more support in ‘mature before \the the form of posts, wire or netting, _Hand/crafted and ‘manufac- ‘tured from top quality Western Red Kiln Dried Fastened. with “rustproof, counte! . sunk’ fasteners ‘for to which they can cling. PEA SUPPORT If short of space in your vegetable garden, an alternative way of cultivating peas is to con- Struct a pup tent style ‘structure © from netting suspended along the length of the row, on posts four feet high. It should be about 181 in- ches wide at the base. Peas, like other legumes, can capture. nitrogen from. the - air, thanks to nitrogen fixing bacteria that live in the roots. It you want ' 17 - Friday, June 6, 1986 ~ North Shore News to be sure that your peas have suf- fictent bavteria doing their job, dust the ‘seeds with an inoculant which can be purchased at garden- ing centres. Peas also leave the soil richer in nitrogen. Despite their hardiness, peas are not.immune to pests, particularly aphids. There are sprays available to control them and spraying should take place on a weekly basis when pests are first detected. Don't forget to water: your garden generously twice’ a ‘week. Peas, like other crops,’ ‘require’ should be to a depth of at least one inch. Peas should be planted in two rows, about ‘seven inches apart. You will need about 20 to 25 seeds per yard. The first planting should be about two inches deep in. the soit with follow-up planting perhaps a little deeper as the soil dries up in the warmer, weather, Peas are ready for picking when the pods appear. to be: filling with rounded pea forms.. Peas- are a good | source of | -minerals ‘and vitamin Cc, : water ' regularly and each- soaking Portable, Lightweight, easy to: handle, folds flat for easy storage. 100% Guaranteed © Comfortable too! :|-, Dollarton Hwy. . Mt. Seymour Prikwy.