Question
Melbourne - We directly sowed our snow peas in early November last year, found that they have grown well up until a couple of weeks ago when the bottom of the climbers started to die (or become a yellow colour) and the half the crop has a dusty grey covering and black speckles. could you please let us know why this is happening and if there is an immediate solution to help correct our harvest.

Kind regards

Melanie

Answer
Melanie, here in the states it is very difficult to sustain peas for more than three months.  Most varieties are highly susceptible to fungus diseases.  Most fungus diseases start at the bottom of the plant and work up.  Usually they turn a grayish color or pale yellow.

You can try to treat the plant with a copper-based fungicide, but most gardeners admit that this seldom rectifies the problem once the plants are infected. It is best to use these products while the plants are still healthy as a precautionary method.

That is why I use succession gardening with peas.  This process entails planting new seed every two weeks in rows adjacent to where the original peas were planted.  This ensures fresh peas throughout the growing season since as the old peas wane, the new ones are producing.

If you decide to treat the peas with a fungicide, attached is a good website with dozens of organic products that are non-toxic and safe to apply up to harvest.

http://www.gardensalive.com/search.asp?ss=fungicide

I hope this information helps.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike