As we’re well into autumn, it’s normal to see less activity in the garden – but now is actually a good time to get prepared for spring.
October is a great month to sow a number of plants and vegetables. A home gardener has named one popular vegetable that she says is perfect to sow now.
Jessica – who loves gardening and thrifting – has recommended growing peas, in particular ‘hardy’ varieties, at this time of year. She posted a video on TikTok where she asked: “Did you know October is the perfect month to start getting a headstart on your peas?”
The 30-year-old, from Cornwall, revealed that she is sowing her peas now so they can develop through the winter. Jessica said: “The trick is to find a hardy variety like Meteor or Feltham First which can handle the cold months.”
She shared that she usually sows her peas in cell trays or deep pots to allow plenty of space for the roots. The gardening fan also advised to keep the peas somewhere sheltered like a cold frame, greenhouse or even on a bright windowsill.
Jessica added: “Come spring they’re ready to plant out. You’ll have fresh peas before you know it.”
In the caption of her TikTok post, Jessica wrote: “October is the perfect month to sow hardy pea varieties in the UK! Sowing now means stronger plants and an earlier harvest next spring. Try varieties like Meteor or Feltham First for the best results.”
Bags and tins of peas are readily found in supermarkets but according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), home-grown freshly picked peas are much better with a sweet and delicious taste. Peas are enjoyed as a side dish, like with fish and chips, or incorporated into a range of dishes, from soups to pastas to quiche.
The RHS describes peas as an easy crop to grow and states that climbing and dwarf varieties take up fairly little ground space. Meteor is a hardy dwarf variety that can withstand winter temperatures and is known for its ability to tolerate exposed sites, making it ideal for growing in the garden.
This round seeded pea type produces an abundance of small but well-filled pods. Feltham First is another hardy pea variety suitable for autumn sowing as it has gold cold tolerance.
It produces abundant, large pointed pods and can grow to be 45cm tall. As mentioned by Jessica, peas can be planted in autumn in cold frames and greenhouses or directly sown into the ground.
The first method protects young pea plants during the colder months and Simply Seed suggests positioning a cold frame to face the sun to warm the seedlings. It adds that covering pots with fleece will give extra protection from cold and keep your pea plants healthy and strong.
Direct sowing means planting pea seeds straight into the ground at a depth of about 5 cm but taller varieties should be spaced roughly 10 cm apart to provide room for support structures and reduce crowding, according to Simply Seed.
The seeds company explains that sowing pea seeds directly into the soil helps them develop strong root systems as they establish. This approach works best for round-seeded varieties that tolerate early planting.