Mange Tout Record
I prefer growing mange tout to conventional 'shelling' peas simply because you have more to eat. Record is particularly productive because it's a climbing variety that will grow to a height of 6ft. Start picking peas at the bottom of the plant and gradually work your way up as the higher ones mature. It also takes up little in the way of ground space.
That said, you will need to construct a frame for the plants to clamber up. If you don't fancy doing this, choose sugar dwarf sweet green mange tout that need no support.
Time from seed to plate: 12 weeks
Sowing Calendar
Sow
Peas are surprisingly robust plants, so they can be sown early - anytime from March till June is ideal. They're perfectly fine outside.
Gutters are a great method for sowing because it avoids mice eating your freshly sown peas. Direct sowing also works well, but make sure you push each pea 2 inches deep into the soil to make life a little more difficult for the mice.
Sow the peas in a zig zag pattern with about 3in between each one.
If you're planning to sow a long row, sow half now, and the other half in 4-6 weeks time to extend the harvest. Leave a couple of feet on either side of the row so you've got plenty of picking space.
Sowing method: Gutters
Grow
Transfer gutter sown plants to your plot when they're around 3in tall. Make sure the soil has plenty of compost/manure dug into it.
These plants will easily grow to 6 ft tall, so you'll need to support them. Pea sticks are fine, but ideally you want something taller. We find pea netting works best because you can buy it in sheets 6ft wide, and it makes the peas very easy to pick. Support it at each end of the row with a 'stout post', and maybe one in the middle if the span is longer than 10 feet.
Harvest
Once your plants start producing, pick twice a week if you can, to encourage more pods. Always use two hands to pick to avoid damaging the stem, and pick as close to eating as possible for best flavour.
Once they stop producing, cut the plant down, but leave the roots in the soil. They produce nitrogen and fix it in the soil to benefit your next crop.