Pea garter should not be ignored, even when it is optional for a particular variety. This measure provides a lot of advantages during the cultivation of crops, which positively affects the crop, its taste characteristics and quality.
The need for pea garter
The main need for pea garter is related to the height of the crop, which can reach 2 m or more. This means considerable weight, which increases as the fruit grows and ripens. The result is a lodging of the culture with subsequent troubles.
Thanks to the garter, the following tasks are solved:
- pea looks neat, planting can perform a decorative function;
- space is saved on the beds - with a vertical arrangement, the stems require less space;
- air circulates better between plants, light and heat penetrate even to the lower branches, so the stems fully develop;
- sunlight evenly falls on the pods, peas ripen on time, become larger and sweeter;
- interaction of the aboveground parts of the plant with soil and moisture is excluded, leading to rot and disease, especially in rainy weather;
- the risk of being affected by pea weevil (bruchus) is reduced, after which the germination of seed material disappears, the crop becomes unfit for food;
- Harvesting is simplified, the risk of missed pods is reduced - their overripening causes the entire plant to dry out.
Garter Timing
The need for a garter should be focused not on specific dates, but on the height of the plants and the features of their development. Lodging begins when the plantings grow to 30-40 cm. The garter must be carried out earlier - with the height of the sprouts 15-20 cm. A prerequisite is the presence of antennae, with which the culture will cling to the support.
Consider in advance exactly how the peas will be tied. If you use a complex structure, then you need to organize it before sowing.
Garter Material
When choosing material for garter peas, it is important to consider its rigidity. Steel wire and twine are not suitable for such purposes. If the material is too hard, then in wind or rain, the tied areas can break.
You can choose one of the following options:
- soft fabric - it needs to be cut into narrow strips, the material must be strong enough to withstand the season;
- thick threads;
- a cord made of plastic or polyethylene;
- hemp;
- plastic garters with a latch;
- special clips - such devices resemble clothespins; you can purchase them in a store.
Garter Methods
Peas can be tied in various ways. When choosing the best option, one must take into account the area of planting, the height of plants of a particular variety, the need for decorativeness.
Garter to stakes
One of the simplest and most common options. You can use picket fence, thick branches, bamboo or other similar material. It is better to stay on a tree, because the metal will be too hot in the sun and lead to burns.
The number of stakes should correspond to the number of plants in the garden. They must be installed vertically, departing from the sprouts of 10-15 cm. This can be done even during planting. The length of the stakes should be calculated on the height of the plants of a particular variety, a margin of 15-20 cm is required.
If the peas are not tall, then the plant will wrap itself around the support, and this is enough. For tall plants between the pegs, as you grow, you need to pull the rope. This should be done every 20 cm.
Reliance from other cultures
This option is usually used for extensive landings. The natural support for peas can be sunflower, cereal crops. It is necessary to plant them in the aisles on a pea bed, given the timing of growth.
If you use corn for natural support, you will need increased attention to top dressing. This culture draws a lot of nutrients, so it is better to abandon such a neighborhood.
Support from the fence
This option is absolutely free, reliable and does not take time. It is advisable to plant peas at the fence if it is not made of metal. Culture, as it grows, will itself cling to support.
Most pea varieties require growing in a sunny area. Do not use the fence for support if this place is shaded.
Trellis
This version of pea support is very popular. The tapestry can be made from improvised materials or purchased in a store - it is sold in a collapsible or folding form.
For self-manufacturing you need:
- Take 4 strong bars 2 meters high, 8 thin slats, ropes. The finished design will look like a two-sided stepladder.
- Durable bars are used for the frame, they must be connected in pairs at an angle to each other - two triangles without a base should be obtained.
- From thin bars, make transverse crossbars with a step of 30 cm, resembling stairs. The first step should be at a height of 15-20 cm.
- Extend a rope or other pea garter material perpendicularly to the crossbeams.
Trellis must be installed before planting peas. Their advantage is that the design is portable, so it can be used for more than one year.
Hut
Such a support can be used for decorative purposes - a green hut looks spectacular. It’s easy to build it:
- Make 4 supports from stakes or picket fence. The optimum height is 2 m. You can put such supports in the corners of one bed or combine two beds.
- In pairs, tilt the supports to each other and connect. You should get 2 triangles at the beginning and end of the bed.
- Connect the vertices of the triangles with a shacket or pole. Get a frame hut.
- On the long sides of the beds, connect the supports from below. If the garden has a wooden frame, then such a measure is not needed.
- Pull ropes or other material, connecting the top pole with the frame of the bed. The number of ropes depends on the number of planted plants - everyone needs their own support. Instead of ropes, you can use a picket fence, long thin poles.
Wigwam
This is not only a reliable support, but also a way to decorate your site. This solution is effective for especially high grades. For a wigwam, 4 poles will be needed, the optimal height is 2 m. If you wish, you can make a central pole - the support will be more reliable.
Poles are set at a distance of 0.7 m, forming a circle with a central pole in the center. The upper parts of the side poles need to be tilted to the center and fastened. The optimum angle of inclination is 60 degrees.
It is recommended to organize the lodge before planting peas. Planted it near the side poles. As the culture grows, it will curl along them, creating a beautiful decorative look.
Tapestry mesh
You can buy such a device in a store, usually it is intended for cucumbers. To fix the mesh, you can use a picket fence or stakes. Their height should be designed for a particular variety.
Stakes need to be installed along the entire length of the bed in its center. The grid must be stretched and fixed. It is convenient to use a knitting wire for this. The resulting structure resembles a net for tennis.
Peas must be planted on both sides of the net in a checkerboard pattern. When the first antennae appear, you need to hook them on the lower cells of the structure. In the future, the plants themselves will be fixed on the grid.
You can organize such a design near the fence. Attach one side of the net to the fence, the other to the beam on the ground. Regarding the fence, it should be tilted 60 degrees. This option provides excellent lighting.
Galvanized wire mesh
This option attracts with its durability due to the strength of the material and resistance to corrosion. It is advisable to use it in shaded areas - some varieties can be grown in such conditions.
The diameter of the cells should be at least 10 cm. To fix the mesh, it is better to use supports from reinforcement.
Bicycle Wheel Support
It is not necessary to use whole wheels, just a rim from each one is enough. You need two rims on one support - put one on the bed, the other will be above it at a height of 1.5-2 m. For fastening, it is better to use reinforcement. Between the lower and upper rim, vertically stretch the ropes or threads, to which peas will be tied.
This design must be done before sowing. Peas planted around the lower rim. The design is portable, it can be used for many years.
Instead of bicycle wheels, you can use hoops from the barrel, make circles of reinforcement.
Common mistakes
There is nothing complicated in pea garter, but still gardeners often make mistakes:
- Installation of supports after planting peas. In this case, there is a high risk of damage to the plant. This applies to the aboveground parts, and the root system.
- The use of metal structures. It is fraught with burns of plants.
- Hard materials. Leads to breaks of stems.
- Insufficient support length. Be sure to take into account the height of a particular cultivar, and with a margin.
- Insufficient support strength. The structures used must be strong and stable, especially with regard to volumetric options such as a hut, trellis, stretched mesh. If such a design falls, this can destroy the entire garden.
The article listed options for pea support of different difficulty levels. Each gardener will be able to choose for himself a suitable method, taking into account personal needs and desires. The main goal of tying peas is not decorativeness, but providing the culture with better growing conditions.