Well, I had the same problem in my allotment so resorted to growing the peas in guttering (not too long or it can't be transported) in the greenhouse. Then when they were big enough I made a small trench and just slid the whole lot out - quick and easy.

Little perishers !
they ate all my sunflower seeds one year

Thanks C, I have a 6ft length of guttering. Does that seem possible ? Will try your method tomorrow. But how tall should the plants be before I slide them out ?

a old trick is to pick some gorse and once you have planted the peas cut the gorse in too small pieces and lay thinly over the seeds then cover with soil.

I usually start mine of in 9cm pots and when they are 2" tall plant them out. I got fed up of feeding the mice.

Good stuff from you guys as usual. I'll be setting some more tomorrow - I gather the mice lose interest when the're above about 2 ins tall.

The only problem with using 6' guttering is its quite unwieldly. I grew them to about 3". Its a little easier than potting each one up individually.

ah I enjoy seeing empty pots pile up especially when OH says things like ' do you need to grow all these plants?'

My 6ft length of guttering is now 2 3ft pieces thanks and will be filled later this morning, and I've also set peas in pots. I've also seen off 3 mice so that might help.

I shall look out with interest as to how you get on. I have lost the use of the greenhouse and allotment now so sadly don't grow veg any more.

A couple of friends say they soak them in kerosene before setting them. Would anyone agree or otherwise with this suggestion ?

we use to years ago roll them in "Parrafin" which is similar as well, didnt want to say as probably not good for the soil but it worked 100% every time

Thanks all. How can I fail, armed with all this info. Paraffin will be used for the next setting and will report back with results eventually.

Since I last updated this I have caught 6 mice, and will be setting more peas there ery soon,having soaked them in paraffin first.

Golly, a veritable plague of mice. Hope this stops the problem for you.

It has, thanks C, final total was 8 , after which they've ceased - or perhaps I should say deceased.

When our girls were little we had to catch a mouse in a jam jar (long story) and prove we didn't kill it! We then had a plague of them in the loft and had to put down traps. We caught 7 and felt awful but had to do it. Same with a squirrel in the loft (another long story).

We get 2 or 3 in the loft every year, I wish I could find out the way the little devils are getting in.

We now live in a bungalow and they dance around in clogs at 3 am up in the loft. I think they climb up the ivy and get in under the roof edge.

We too live in a bungalow but never hear the mice upstairs. But there's nothing except fallpipes to climb up which are smooth. Can they really climb up vertical walls ?

Yes I'm positive they can.

Little b-----s !