Woofie, my outdoor germination rate varies from 3% to 30% in early spring, and 10% to 75% in late spring. (But sometimes I did not even pre-soak, so My Bad.)
(Fortunately my summers are so mild that peas seem quite happy through June or even some of July. Starting spring peas "late" was the only way I could get many to emerge. )
I did cover the RB for a few weeks before sowing to keep the rain off, trying to minimize the "wet-cold-clay rots peas" effect. However, despite being raised and covered, the soil is wetter than "moist" until, oh, April or May.
I love the idea of "pea tape"!
Someone else had suggested sprouting on paper towels, but watching them like a hawk and whipping each pea into the ground within twelve hours of its root tip first emerging! I guess we do love our peas.
