The first few batches of peas I picked were fine – lovely in fact. But now the evidence of not having netted our peas earlier in the season is all too clear to see. Every other pod that I open contains the evidence of a visit by the Pea Moth. Tiny caterpillars, some almost too small to see are making merry with my crops and ruining half of my peas.
Last night I picked a whole trug full of peas of 3 different varieties and all too many of them had one or more of the little invaders inside. It was utterly disheartening. Hours spent shelling peas and finding those tell tale little holes – often with the cheeky buggers still sticking out of them! It is almost impossible to tell by looking at the pod, unless the infestation is in advanced stages in which case the pod look dehydrated.
So lesson learned. Next year the peas will be netted at the first sign of a flower.
