Peas, or matar, are a common ingredient in many dishes. From classic Aloo Matar to savoury Matar Paneer, they’re a staple in Indian cuisine. Whether fresh, frozen, or dried, peas add a burst of sweetness and a satisfying crunch to any meal.
Video Credit: Urban Gardening/ YouTube
Growing peas in containers is a simple and rewarding task; even with a limited space in your backyard, you can enjoy the sweet taste of these versatile peas. From choosing the right container to the proper time to harvest the pea crop, this article will provide the step-by-step guide to growing peas in the containers:
Steps To Follow To Grow Peas In A Container
Select The Right Spot And Variety Of Seed
Pea plants need full sun exposure, so it is important to choose the right spot where you will cultivate pea plants, which also depends on region to region. Pea plants need 6–8 hours of direct sunlight; if not given, it may produce a smaller harvest. However, if you grow pea plants in a container, it will benefit you as containers can be moved easily into an ideal space for best sunlight exposure.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas are the three types of pea seeds. Select the right variety of seeds from different types based on size, growth habit (bush or vine), maturity time, and desired pea type (shelling, snap, or snow).
Choose The Right Container
Choose the container for growing a pea plant wisely. The size of the container should be 22 inches wide and 12 inches deep so that 5-6 pea plants can easily grow in the container. Additionally, the container should have small holes in the bottom for better drainage.
Soil Preparation
Use good organic compost; make sure the ration of the soil should be 70% gardening soil and 30% compost in the container. Another main factor is that there should be a balanced pH level in the soil. Peas generally need a pH between 6-7.5. Keep in mind that container-based grown plants often need extra moisture retention in their soil, as the container soil rapidly gets dry out compared to in-ground soil.
Image Credit: Freepik
Sow Your seeds
Before sowing the seeds, soak them in water for 12–15 hours for a speedy germination process. After 15 hours, seeds will swell up. Germination will take 6-7 days if seeds have been soaked in water.
Five pea seeds can easily be grown in a container. For sowing, dig a 1-inch hole and make sure that each seed should be 3-4 inches apart from each other to promote better growth. Cover the seeds with soil mix after sowing.
Fertilizing And Watering
Pea plants generally do not require a heavy dose of feeding. So, provide 3-4 handfuls of compost after every 18-20 days for healthy growth of pea plants by digging a 1-inch hole with the help of a trowel.
Make sure to add water immediately after fertilizing. After some days, birds and flowers start forming, then water the plant deeply, as dryness in the soil may lead to reduced pea production.
Image Credit: Freepik
Build Support And Solve Problems
Pea plants are climbers, so build a trellis-like structure with gardening thread to support pea plants. If pea plants climb vertically, they will produce healthier varieties than the horizontal ones.
Solve minor pest infections of the plant with hands; if it becomes major, use neem oil, which is the organic way to remove pest control.
Harvesting
Most varieties of pea pods are ready to harvest in 60–75 days of planting. When the pea pods are nicely plumped and look swollen, then they are ready to harvest. Remove the pea pods with scissors gently; make sure to hold the stem while pulling the pod; otherwise, the vine can get damaged.