new to SFG; ? about peas

We are new to SFG with only one row garden many years ago. I've posted in the New plus this forum earlier and gotten much help. So thanks in advance for the advice and help.

My question is about dwarf peas in tabletop 2 x 2' boxes (4 sq/box). We have 2 sq of dwarf peas and 2 sq of sweet onion sets in one box; 2 sq of the same dwarf peas and 2 sq of lettuce in the other box. Both used the same batch of Mel's Mix (only found medium vermiculite- not course) and were planted on the same day and had (obviously) the same weather. The squares with lettuce starts are doing so much better than the peas with the onion sets nearby. The ones with onions aren't growing as fast and some of the lower leaves are pale colored. Is this a companion planting issue? C in So Cal

PS I'll try the steps to post the picture.

Hey- the picture loaded! I went to How To forum and followed the steps outlined there for posting a picture from my computer. Thanks Boffer!! C

I am having the same problem with my peas. But they are by themselves. So it may not be because of the onions.

Oh and I have no clue what it is or what to do.

It's been years since I grew peas and I have been doing a bit of research on them. It may be there is not enough nitrogen in your soil. This site recommends inoculating peas to be planted in new gardens. Just a thought. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/peas1.html

I have a question(s)

1. Where do you garden?

2. Are your peas transplants or direct seed?

You should NOT have yellow leaves on your peas this early. Peas do not transplant well.

The color of the healthy leaves do not appear to be deficient in nitrogen.

IF these are transplants they are going to need some time to recover, then they will take off. Peas are fairly disease free at this stage of the game/season.

Does that help?

I JUST saw that you are in Southern Cal. It is possible that it is already late for peas. They do not like hot weather. You can (and should) replant in the fall.

What is most interesting is that this box is doing poorly and the other is doing great. There is no timing difference (same day, Feb 15th), no climate difference (same back porch), no seed difference (same package-direct seeded in ground), or soil difference (same Mel's Mix) between these and the peas 2 feet away.

Lav Deb, about our climate. Yes we are in So Cal, No it is not hot on our hill. We're expecting frosts this week and always cover our boxes on the back patio at night if it seems cool. When we planted our row garden some years ago, the last overnight frost of 32* was May 9th- the morning of Mother's Day. I plan on May 1st for the last average frost for our area. With that in mind, when would be a good time to plant spring crops?

It is very interesting to see the difference in the 2 boxes of peas. I am just a newbie and still learning. C

some at a glance pea facts
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uj224.pdf

Camprn- That was a good link. Thanks.
Our variety was listed under main season and "are resistant to fusarium wilt" or so it says. Would inoculating add chemicals to the final product? We'd like to think we're eating the natural vegetable that is not laced with chemicals. That might be a dream but is our goal. C

Camprn- the second link was very helpful.
It says our variety has no disease resistance. So it might just be fusarium wilt based on what I've read and saw in a library book today. Hummm.. C

if you look at the first link Q & A, it explains that the inoculation is adding nitrogen fixing bacteria to the pea seeds, not a chemical exactly.

Camprn- thanks. That is what I was hoping it was. C

i would answer the original question but i can't stop laughing at responses so far. you guys are riot.

gridgardener wrote:i would answer the original question but i can't stop laughing at responses so far. you guys are riot.

Uhm, when you catch your breath, please, what is your answer to the original question? Enquiring minds want to know. :?:

you know, itmay seem weird but even though they're 2 feet from another could be different lighting and/or temp. .. i know ih ave that problem - all my boxes are w/in a 15' area and one box is real warm and the others are varying degrees. . .it's wild.

sunlight is ever so slightly different, too - not much but maybe 10 minutes from farthest box to other end of box 15' away.

and biggest difference is between a box that is 2x4 - my warm box - and a 2x4 not even 2 full feet away - that's my coldest box. it's just the craziest thing!

makes absolutely no sense, but the stuff grows slower in the colder box - and it's the exact same mel's mix - was mixed at same time last yera and compost adds have been same to all boxes - i have a large bin i use to replenish. .. .

hope you can figure it out. it's just wild gardening!

bettyann

1. onions and legumes should not be planted near each other.
2. i was laughing about someone thinking inoculation was adding chemicals.
3. the real issue is table top bed are different then growing in/on the ground.
4.temps and watering needs are different.

gridgardener wrote:1. onions and legumes should not be planted near each other.
2. i was laughing about someone thinking inoculation was adding chemicals.
3. the real issue is table top bed are different then growing in/on the ground.
4.temps and watering needs are different.

Like I mentioned in my very first post, this is my first SFG (and second garden ever in 25 years). I admiit that I don't know much but my husband and I purchased All New SFG by Mel B, read it cover to cover, and not all of our questions are answered in that book. Laugh all you want; I am a newbie.

1) I did suggest a companion planting issure in my original post, didn't I?
2) See above: I'm new
3) If TT is different from from boxes on the ground, what is your suggestion to my dilema? Refer to my posted picture.
4) Are temps and watering different from box to box? The other peas 2 feet away seem to be growing well. Mel said in bold print that you CANNOT over water with Mel's Mix.
Gridgardener- you might be laughing but what is your suggestion for my situation today? And is is a disease?

Thanks Betty Ann for your kind, informative words.

I notice that this forum is the most viewed and has more posts than any other. There are other people out there with questions abt SFG. I'm in good company.
C

there is also the fact that there may be drainage issues and of course soil splash issues and nothing wrong at all except few dead leaves.

I notice that this forum is the most viewed and has more posts than any other.

that is false argument since many forums have had users depleted by other issues of a period of time. one of reasons is many forum have had flame wars, have rude posters, or have newbie who can't be bothered to use search function on forums to find previously ask questions. the reason this forum has renewed vigor is the forum now has clean slate after the software upgrade. the forum may have 1000 register users but less then hundred posters have posted.

I think all ckernsgarden is trying to say is that there are many new people on here who have similar questions as she does. Maybe people who have much more experience would like to help us newbies, instead of laughing at them and arguing with them. If forum members don't want to help a person who is asking questions, or aren't interested in the answer themselves, then they shouldn't click on that post. For me, I love this forum b/c it has many people comparing their experiences in order to gain knowledge and help each other. If someone knew everything, then they should either be offering to help, or not be on this forum at all.

lisaphoto maybe newbies should listen to answers given by those with experience instead saying that answer be can't correct.

I don't think she ever said anything anybody told her was wrong, just gave more information on her particular situation.

Folks,
I'm closing this thread for now for obvious reasons. There are behind the scene endeavors that started earlier this am, please be patient.