Compost Cowgirls

I am over the moon about the new “Green Arrow” shelling peas I ordered from Seed Savers for this season. I’ve never grown peas before, nor have I shelled them, so this counts as a garden experiment for me.

Of course, peas need to climb. So I tasked my husband with building a trellis system for me.

(FYI for those considering a trellis: there a lot of ways to build one. A lot. Just google “pea trellis” and you’ll get a more choices than you can shake a bamboo plant stake at.)

An easy-to-build trellis!

We picked a simple design. It’s essentially two three-foot-tall wooden rectangles leaned against each other at the top. The crossbar at the bottom keeps the trellis from collapsing… until we need it to fold down and overwinter in the attic. You can make the trellis as long or as high as you want.

I strung twine to give the peas something to climb. I intentionally chose a natural sisal twine over string. Once the season is over, I’ll cut the twine and plop the whole shebang – spent pea vines and all – into the composter. Easy peasy! (Pun intended.)

Between the cedar boards, nails and twine, you can pull this baby together for less than $15 and an hour of work.

Which is totally worth it for a crop of these beauties:

Photo from seedsavers.org