A Happy Customer's email

A letter from a happy customer

In my vegetable order last year I received pea seed for a pea that would grow up to 48 ".
The plants actually grew to almost eight feet and produced from July to October. There was a mixture of pod types, however. Some were a very fleshy edible pod with small fruit and others had thin membrain pods wit very large fruit.
Or did I mistakenly mix two types received? Is there any way for you to advise which seed they were so I may re-order with, my soon to be ready 2010 seed order?

Best regards,

Robin

Our response
Hi Robin,



Thank you again for last years order. Sounds like you had great success! Our records show you ordered Homesteader and the Green Arrow varieties of peas. 2 of our favorites for eating and freezing for winter.



Height and spread listings are used as guidelines for planting, but variation in the ultimate size of plants will occur. Variables that affect the plants include soil conditions (tithe, nutrients and moisture),sites (fullsun to fully shaded) and of course the weather (hot, cold; wet, dry; sunny, cloudy).

Fast growing plants such as peas will show wider variations in size than for eg: Carrots or a perennial like Delphinium.



As well, while determinate plants (those that have limited growth) such as Carrots or Delphiniums will be affected by these conditions to a lesser degree than semi- determinate or indeterminate plants whose growth is semi-limited or only limited by light duration and temperature.

Many tomatoes and peas are semi or indeterminate in size.



Even in these plants, the amount of produce and the timing of the harvest will affect both plant size and fruit size and texture. Plants will stop growing as they put their energies to seed production and skins will toughen to protect the forming seeds from disease.

Regular harvesting will increase yields of fruiting and flowering plants alike by concentrating energies on the essential elements of seed production rather than ripening it.



Specifically to your peas… as you are probably aware, all peas can be shelled or eaten in their pods. Even the shoots and leaves are edible. The size of the pea kernels and shells will change quickly as they mature. I couldn’t really comment on, but imagine it is possible, you may have mixed your 2 or more varieties

up, but I suspect the other factors in combination explain it as well.



We happy to here about your excellent results and recommend you also try a sugar pod or snap peas this year. They are less stringy and even better suited for edible pods. We hope this has been helpful and answered your questions.

Happy Gardening!
Warmest Regards,

BrotherNature.ca

Her response

Thank you for your prompt reply. I likely did mix the two varieties, that is in my character. I planted them in two different plots 3 km apart with the same result. My neighbouring gardeners were jealous. I finally explained that your seed was organic therefor better than the "Ben Johnson" commercial doped up varieties they planted.

I had alot of fun gardening and just today downloaded your catalog and sent it to a friend who runs and organic market garden near Carmel Saskatchewan. I am sure you will be receiving an order from him as well.

Best regards,
Robin