All Posts
The Guide to Grow Pea
Jun
The sweet taste of glorious garden-grown peas is unlike anything you find in grocery stores. They are nature’s candy right off the vine! As one of the season’s first crops, peas are planted as soon as the ground can be worked, even if snow falls afterward. Follow our tips on growing peas, from sowing and growing to harvesting !
About Peas
Peas are easy to grow, but their growing period is limited. It’s crucial to plant them early enough in spring so they mature while the weather is still cool. This typically means planting in most parts of the United States and Canada in February, March, or April. In warmer regions, peas can also be grown as a fall or winter crop.
Peas do not stay fresh long after harvest, so enjoy their taste as soon as possible! The peas found in grocery stores are often starchy in taste, which pales in comparison to garden-fresh peas.
Three varieties of peas suit most garden and culinary needs:
- Sweet peas, also known as garden peas or English peas (Pisum sativum ssp. sativum), have inedible pods from which the seeds (peas) are taken.
- Snow peas (P. sativum var. macrocarpon) produce edible, flat, stringless pods containing small peas.
- Snap peas (P. sativum var. macrocarpon ser. cv.) produce thick, edible pods containing large/full-size peas.
When to Plant Pea
Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date when the soil is cool, or when it reaches the desired temperature. Peas planted in cold (40°F) soil will germinate slowly; peas planted in soil that is at least 60°F (but not more than 85°F) will catch up. Snow will not hurt emerging pea plants, but several days with temperatures in the teens might. Be prepared to plant again if the first peas don’t make it. Alternatively, start your peas in a plant cold frame. A second round of peas can be planted in the late summer or early fall, approximately 6 to 8 weeks before your first fall frost date.
How to Grow Peas
Where to Plant
Peas are best direct-seeded right in the ground and do not like their roots disturbed. However, transplanting is possible if you start seeds in biodegradable pots; you can transplant the pot and all into the garden, and the pot will disintegrate.
Soil Preparation
Soil Type: Peas prefer well-drained, loamy soil. Soil pH: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Soil Amendment: Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility
Grow from Seed
In areas where spring is long and wet, plant seeds in garden raised beds. In order to speed germination, soak seeds in water overnight before planting. Sow seeds 1 inch deep (slightly deeper if the soil is dry) and about 2 inches apart. Do not thin. Plant rows 7 inches apart.
Fertilizing
Peas need phosphorus and potassium, but excess nitrogen will encourage foliage growth instead of flowers or pods.
Support Structure
Bush peas can reach 18 to 30 inches tall, while pole types can grow at least 4 to 6 feet tall. Both types benefit from pea support (especially bush peas above 2 feet and all pole peas). Install thin tree branches or twiggy sticks (pea sticks), trellises, chicken wire, strings, or netting before plants establish their shallow roots.
Watering
Keep the soil moist. If seeds wash out of the soil, gently poke them back in.
Crop rotation
Regarding crop rotation, avoid planting peas in the same place more than once every four years.
Like other legumes, pea roots fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for other plants.
Pest and Disease Control
Watch for aphids, pea weevils, and slugs. Use insecticidal soap or other appropriate measures to control pests. Peas can be susceptible to root rot, powdery mildew, and pea enation mosaic virus. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent diseases.
How to Harvest Peas
Harvest peas in the morning after the dew has dried when they are crispiest. Regular harvesting encourages more pods to develop. Use two hands when picking peas to avoid damaging the plant—hold the vine with one hand and pull the pods off with the other. Peas are at the peak of flavor immediately after harvest. Pea pods that have hardened or turned a dull color are overmature. Mature plants usually stop producing and die back in hot summer weather. If you miss your peas’ peak period, you can still pick, dry, and shell them for use in winter soups.
Conclusion
Growing your own garden peas offers a rewarding experience and a taste that far surpasses store-bought options. By planting early in the spring or opting for a fall crop in warmer regions, you can enjoy these sweet, nutritious pods fresh from your garden. Whether you choose sweet peas, snow peas, or snap peas, the satisfaction of harvesting and savoring garden-fresh peas is unmatched.