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Peas and Twigs

March 31st, 2010

Perhaps you have seen peas growing among twigs in garden books, on-line, in other gardens or you do it your own garden. It’s an old tradition to grow peas up twigs. (note: these are not the peas currently in my garden, these photos were taken last spring at the end of April, my peas haven’t even germinated yet).

I’ve always used this method for supporting peas, mainly because it’s convenient and cheap. Since my gardens are surrounded by woods,, I have access to as many saplings and twigs as I need.

I’ve also heard it’s helpful for keeping rabbits and other critters out of the garden. It didn’t work for me last year with the deer, so I’m not sure if this is true.

I read a few weeks ago that peas are traditionally grown up twigs because they are planted at the same time as the trees are pruned. How convenient, you remember when to plant your peas and you have plenty of free supports for them.

Do you have any great old gardening traditions/sayings like this or any cost cutting measures you employ in the garden?

11 Comments to “Peas and Twigs”
  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by mark mile, Susy Morris. Susy Morris said: #Peas and Twigs http://goo.gl/fb/q56W2 #edible #traditions […]

    Reply to Tweets that mention Growing Peas up Twigs | Chiot’s Run — Topsy.com's comment

  2. Ken Toney on March 31, 2010 at 7:51 am

    Sounds like a neat idea. Our lodge used to be a zoo, way back in the 70’s. They had bison, deer, lion, tiger, snakes, reptiles, and bears. The animals are gone, but I’m left with all of the old and falling fencing. Like you, I have plenty of trees to get saplings from. I also have plenty of old fence laying in the fields that I have been cleaning up. It’s not good for anything but support for peas, beans and cucumbers. And, it’s free.
    .-= Ken Toney´s last blog ..Clearing the Land =-.

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  3. Dave on March 31, 2010 at 9:16 am

    That’s what I’ll be doing this week. The peas are about 4 inches high right now and I need to get some support for them soon…along with all the millions of other things I need to do!
    .-= Dave´s last blog ..One Thing, Then Another, Then Another… =-.

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  4. Kelly on March 31, 2010 at 10:28 am

    I’ve never heard of this! The twigs are strong enough to not topple over from the peas weight, I take it? We’ll be spending lots of time outside this weekend as the weather will be beautiful, so perhaps I’ll get out and start collecting twigs.
    .-= Kelly´s last blog ..Car Fixer Beware =-.

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  5. Mrs. Mac on March 31, 2010 at 10:46 am

    I’ve only heard of planting pole beans with corn … now this sounds interesting … I’ll have to find a photo on-line with a ‘further away’ picture to get a better idea. Good tip.
    .-= Mrs. Mac´s last blog ..Do Not Say There’s Nothing To Eat =-.

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  6. kristin @ going country on March 31, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Well, our biggest cost-cutting measure is using our freaky creeping bamboo for all our stakes and supports. This helps (kind of) keep the bamboo from bolting for the neighbor’s, as well as being free material for the garden.

    Though I wouldn’t advise planting creeping bamboo for garden use. Too hard to keep under control.
    .-= kristin @ going country´s last blog ..Fashion for the Under One Set =-.

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  7. Allie on March 31, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    What a great idea! I love the aesthetic of it too.
    .-= Allie´s last blog ..I think the hubs and I need to have a talk =-.

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  8. Morgan on April 1, 2010 at 10:53 am

    Thanks for the idea!!! I have been using twig supports in my pots but after reading your entry I ran out to the garden and planted 2 rows of peas under my morning glory treliis!!! I used the twigs I have collected from the neighborhood.

    This spot is perfect because the Morning Glories will take over during the summer – about the time the peas are done!!! So I am getting the best of both!

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  9. Andres on April 1, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I think that is a great idea. I already have my peas in the garden for this spring, but will use twigs from my hydrangea to support my peas next year.
    .-= Andres´s last blog ..Square Foot Raised Bed =-.

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  10. Visiting Monticello | Chiot's Run on August 10, 2010 at 4:47 am

    […] into the garden. This is something I try to do here at Chiot’s Run, I’ve blogged about using twigs for my peas just like they do in the gardens at Monticello. I have plenty of saplings and twigs around since […]

    Reply to Visiting Monticello | Chiot’s Run's comment

  11. Delinke on March 31, 2013 at 4:48 am

    I love and use this idea. Another old thing is to seed parsley and lettuce and carrots and lettuce in the same row. The lettuce germinates faster and shows the line where to be careful when weeding. When carrots and parsley stert growing, the lettuce have already been eaten.
    The other to remember when to dig out and in the tulip bulbs is, hat the bulbs leave the soil when kids leave school for he summer holidays (mid-June in Hungary), and enter the soil when kids enter school for the new school year (beg of Sept here).

    Reply to Delinke's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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