[Bert]

I'm going to save all my peas this year for next years seed ( there isn't going to be meany ).
Do I shell them before or after drying ?
Would like to know because I've got 2 peas ready for picking     

[waddy]

Hi Bert! I let the ones I am saving do all their growing on the plant. When the growth is starting to go yellow and dry I generally cut the top (leave the roots in the soil to dig in for the nitrogen) and stick it in the greenhouse to make sure it continues to dry no matter what the weather does. Once completely dry I shell the pods and save the seeds in a brown envelope in my seed tin. Viability does go down after a couple of years so use them next year and save fresh again.


 


Helen

[Bert]

Thanks for the advice  . Great tip about the roots, I would of pulled them out  , and I would of picked the peas off the plant 
I had the first few peas for my tea last night ( with other stuff  ). The first crop I've harvested from my new garden  . And the first veg I've grown for my own use in 3 years, not for and employer ( and in every way possible its just better  ).

[MAK]

If the plant is dry with pods on then cut and hang the plant - everyone does this with haricot beans for the seed and to eat as haricot blanc ( only mention that as I used dried haricot beans in spicey tomatoes sauce with onion,garlic and courgettes).

I think the hanging the plant thing just makes it easier to handle and store - rather than deal with a bowl of shelled seed.

[Connor]

I just buy my seeds to get different varieties