Following GardenMama’s Wandering Wednesday, I thought I’d post my afternoon.
It was a good day to harvest some of the peas in the garden. They seemed to swell in the pods as I stood there. We have been enjoying eating the peas straight from the pods. The children have started to call the peas their “garden sweets”. It is a good description, as they are so sweet and full of flavour. Tonight I cooked them, for a change. The children were slightly disappointed and have requested them raw from now on. I love being in the middle of the rows in my kitchen garden.
Later, as I podded the peas, I pondered whether it is worth growing peas. I probably harvested about a third of our final harvest today. The resulting bowl probably was equivalent to a standard bag of frozen peas. Costing about £1.50. The peas I bought and planted cost about £1.05. That means my whole harvest will save me £3.45 (3bags * £1.50 – £1.05). I think it is fair to say that I’m not doing it to save money.
As my thoughts wandered, the girls came in. They helped themselves to a couple of pods. They have become dab hands at knowing which pods are ready for picking, shaking them to see if they rattle. When they cracked them open this time, they both found pea moth caterpillars. The girls were fascinated. They wanted to know more. The usual joke about “what is worse than finding a maggot in your pea/apple?*” was told. They discussed how the maggot obviously enjoyed the taste of the peas as much as them. They spotted a soldier beetle, grabbed a few more pods and the girls disappeared to find more wildlife.
So there you are. I cannot think of better reasons to grow peas. They taste good, full of goodness and inspire my offspring in natural history (and bad jokes). Not to mention the pleasure it gives me to grow and harvest them. I will grow an extra row next year, because it is worth it. Incidentally, I found very few pea moth caterpillars. I guess the girls were just lucky.
While I was harvesting, I found this beetle. It was very shy and I had to stretch out and point and click with this one. Explains why it is slightly out of focus. After research it appears to be a fire bug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) which is rare in these parts.
It was on a weed in the middle of a row of peas. Fortunately it seems to be no danger to peas. Smart looking beetle. As usual my wanderings lead to more than I intended. A bowl of peas seems almost an added extra now.
(* the answer to the joke, if you have somehow managed to dodge it up to now is – finding half a maggot! Believe me it is funny if you are seven.)
Wow, what a gorgeous post!
I agree about peas, they certainly are treasures and so fun to eat right in the garden!
Hehe funny joke… not so funny if it was only half an insect… : )
Their love of nature definitely does not extend to eating this kind of mini-beast. I’m quite sure half a maggot would have had an entirely different reaction.
Those peas look delicious, I think I agree with your children that they should be eaten raw!!
The beetle in your photo is magnificent, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those before.
Em xxx
Its the first time I have seen this beetle. The pattern was so perfect and precise that it looked unreal.
Beautiful post, Love those green peas…
Thank you. I’m glad I grew peas this year. Frozen ones are not the same or as inspiring.
A friend once asked me why I wasted my time canning tomatoes when I could just pick up a jar at the supermarket. “You’re not saving any money,” she said, “and it’s so much work.” I do it because they’re beautiful to look at, not to mention it tastes better than when you get it from the store. Your garden peas are gorgeous, and your children are blessed.
Thank you. It’s not about the money. Even if you buy fruit and veg direct from the producer, the flavour goes so quickly. Peas and sweetcorn always taste best straight from the garden.
I agree with the girls, peas are definitely best raw, straight from the pod. That beetle is lovely, what a fantastic colour.
I’ve been putting the peas, still in their pods, in a bowl straight on the table. Makes for a longer meal, but they could not be fresher.
I once ate an apple with gusto. On reaching the middle I realised it was teeming with maggots.
I used to put maggots in my mouth to warm them up when I used to fish with the boys when we were young. So it’s not as bad as it seems. Or maybe it is. Lots of things are more acceptable when you’re very young.
For me, I’d like to know what the maggot was feasting on before. A pea maggot would be preferable to another kind. We’ve probably all done it, just unknowingly.
The peas look fantastic, and they must taste SO much better than the ones from the store!
Never a truer word said. They do taste better. I’m not sure the children will go back to the frozen type easily.
oh yummy, they look so good and fresh! I have fond memories of helping my Mum shed peas when I was growing up – I really enjoyed it.
Shelling peas has to be a group activity, doesn’t it? Fond memories for sure.