#unfortunately the wildlife has learned to move the pebbles out of the way to try to get at the water

[jensownzoo]

Pea planting!

Four varieties soaked overnight and ready to go. Two snow peas and two snap peas. No shelling peas because those are for people with more room (I find purchased frozen peas acceptable).

Here are the three 18" containers that need prepping. I've had them for 25 years now--they're workhorses.

Here are the DIY ollas I made a few years back that overwintered in the garden shed. I probably should have pulled them out yesterday to refresh the top paint, but too late now as the peas are soaked and ready.

First step is to dig a hole all the way to the bottom and place the olla.

Refill hole halfway. Sprinkle with slow-release fertilizer in the hole. It helps draw the roots in and down. Fill hole rest of the way and scratch additional fertilizer in the top. Or compost, I'm currently out and this fertilizer was free (via someone else's garage clean out in the fall). Fill ollas with clean water.

Install the pre-made DIY PVC trellises by banging them in with a rubber mallet until they hit the bottom.

Sow peas in furrows between the trellis legs. I'm ridiculously oversowing here for two reasons. One because usually I pre-sprout indoors to prevent the standard loss due to rot and thievery. I...forgot to do that and this week will be very warm so i'm not willing to wait. And two because pea sprouts are delicious which will take care of any extras. I don't need inoculant for these peas--I did it last year in these same containers so the bacteria should still be present in the soil. Note the pebble covering the fill hole of the olla to prevent mosquitoes and evaporation.

And finally a fine mesh bag (originally designed for dwarf fruit trees) to keep critters from digging up all the peas plus provide a modicum of insulation. It's only got one zipper so I do still need to just hoist the bag up for access to all three planters, but it keeps the squirrels and robins out.

It took me all day because my back's hurting and needed lots of breaks, but it's done. Yay!