Summer peas under shade cloth?

[templeton]

I've got my snow pea growout seed off a bit early this year - usually I haven't had seed until late November. I'm itching to get another generation seed crop as soon as possible, and have been toying with growing under shadecloth. I have grown in big pots in mid summer in the full shade behind the house, but didn't have a lot of success.

My climate zone is very similar to Holly's in San Martin but I think she gets a few more frosts than me - not an issue over summer. and the rainfall disparity shouldn't be an issue since I'll be watering as much as needed.

Anyone have experience or suggestions for growing peas in summer under shade?
T

[flowerweaver]

I grow a lot of things in the summer under a 50% shade cloth. Unfortunately the leaf cutter ants decided they needed the peas more than I did so I can't say on that. In general we have found it to be beneficial to most summer grown things. I had them made with grommets and use bungee cords to secure them to t-posts. To keep them from tearing I covered the t-posts with the cheaper kind of PVC that you run electrical through, cutting holes with a drill bit hole cutter, the kind for putting in door knobs (detail below). This allows us to roll the shade cloth off easily for fall storage.

[templeton]

Thanks FW.
And thanks for the pics.
Think I'll start the seeds tonight.
T