Question
My father grow peas {that his uncle gave him }for over 40 years. Each year keeping the seed for the next year. The seeds original came from Spain after the first world war. They have always done very well . This year I am growing them in my Father's garden as my father died last year. I seem to have cut worms destroying the seedlings . I had them planted early May and they came up well. What could have caused this this year. And what can I do about it. It has never happened before and I am feeling so badly as they were always the family pride and joy. Is it too late to replant. I know peas like it cool. How can I prevent this from happening next year. The rest of the garden looks good.
thanks so much for  your help. I have been gardening organically for about 25 years and live in Northern Ontario.  

Answer
Dear Gwen:

You may be in luck if you want to risk planting a second crop of peas now....presuming you have relatively mild summers in Northern Ontario.  If you can afford the risk of losing your crop again, then plant the crop and use these preventative measures to protect against cutworms:

Cutworm Collars:
Can be made out of cardboard easily and act as a barrier to prevent Cutworms from attacking the stems of newly transplanted items. Just cut strips of lightweight cardboard to about 7 1/2 inches long and about 3 inches wide, bend over and overlap the ends to form a wide short tube and fasten with tape. You can also use preformed cardboard tubes like that from wrapping paper and cut similar proportions. Those you'll have to slit up one side so you can slip the stem past it. Position them around the base of the stem and press about 1 inch of the collar below the soil line. The cutworms route has just been closed! Pureeing a large onion in a blender with 1/2 cup of water, straining into a spray bottle, and spraying near the plants can also be an effective deterrent.

A chemical alternative is Carbaryl sold under the trade name: Sevin.  Read application directions carefully.

Good luck.

Regards,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee