Maestro Peas

heirloomgal said:

Area size for the peas? My answer would be dependant on that. If it's a huge expanse, than leaving them be is probably the right way to go.

But if it's a packet or two you're growing I would highly recommend you stake them. Peas as a rule tend to produce better with support. I stake even the smallest variety, Tom Thumb. Any peas in close proximity to the ground are fair game for critters, and they like peas, especially earwigs. I've grown Maestro and used a 4 foot trellis. But it doesn't need to be that complicated - I also gather an armload of branchy sticks and poke them in among the vines if they're block planted. Pea sticks work very well and you don't even see them once the vines reach their full height. For a small pea row or patch, pinching the tips early on will increase your yields and help them fare better in high heat.

Sometimes pea packets say 'self supporting' but I've found that is usually untrue. It's a selling angle to convince you they're a convenient & easy variety. Tomatoes technically don't need to be staked either, but they do much, much better if they're held up.

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hdan said:

My first time planting Maestro Peas. have a 4'×8' raised bed with two rows of peas. One row 12" inward from each side leaving 24" between the two rows. I think you're saying I should stake them. Not sure what you're saying about pinching back or where to pinch back.

Dan

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heirloomgal said:

Yes, stake them. They will probably flop over if you don't.

Here's a good video showing how to pinch peas - time stamp 4:40 exactly. It's only a few seconds long, but you'll see it's simple. I wouldn't let the pea vines grow this tall before pinching them.

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baymule said:

I’ve grown Maestro peas before, good producers. I’d go for a T-post at each end and run string .

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heirloomgal said:

2 T posts for each row. You can run string, or you can use pea netting.

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hdan said:

Thanks, but what's the T for.
I was thinking just straight post each end with horizontal string at bottom and top with vertical zigzag string pattern across from one end to the other looping top and bottom horizontal string. How would you string a T-post. Not sure how you would do T-post unless stringing it into a y shape. Never done this before.

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