Peas are annual plants, meaning they only live for a single year. Grown in various parts of the world, they are a cool-season crop whose planting season varies from winter to early June. Peas typically weigh between 0.1 and 0.36 grams. Typically, field peas are produced for their mature pods, but certain types are grown for their dried beans, such as split peas, which are shelled from mature pods. The sensitive pod of snow peas and its immature counterparts are used as fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables.
Ensure enough space for your peas because they require a sunny, moisture-retaining, nutrient-rich spot. Taller types will also require assistance.
Like other home-grown veggies, there's a range of kinds from early to late season, so spend some time figuring out which ones are ideal for you. Make sure to till and prepare the soil well before planting, adding plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.
When planting directly into the ground, make sure the soil is warm and the seedlings are well protected from cold and frost. This should be done in early to mid-spring. If you plant seeds in chilly soil, they will rot. Find out more information about it.
Peas are available in a wide variety of forms and variations. If you want to grow crops all fall, start with an early variety and then move on to your primary crop.
Snow peas and sugar snap peas are harvested before fully developed and eaten in pods. If you've ever had trouble growing regular peas, these are well worth a try, as they are often simpler to cultivate than garden peas. Learn more!
How To Plant Peas?
Peas will grow in any soil type rich in organic content, well-drained, and fertile. Before planting, use a soil test to ascertain the demand for fertiliser and heed the advice provided in the test report. If necessary, work fertiliser into the top six inches of soil. When using compost as a fertiliser, apply no more than 1 inch of thoroughly broken-down organic matter for every 100 square feet of garden space.
Plants
Peas require soil and air temperatures below 28ºC for optimal germination and plant growth. Peas are a cool-weather, frost-tolerant vegetable. Start planting peas as soon as you can till the soil in the spring. When seedlings are put in 20–24°C soil, they will emerge in 7–10 days. Peas don't do well in temps higher than 28ºC.
Planting And Aligning
Two to three ounces of seed will be needed to sow a 100-foot row. Any extra seed can be saved for use the following year. Plant seeds in rows 12–24 inches apart, ½–1 inch deep, and 1-2 inches apart. If plant stands are excessively thick, there is no need to thin. Plant dry peas and gardens every 14–21 days until April 1 in warm climates and May 1 in colder climates.
Depending on the cultivar, peas take 60–70 days to reach maturity. Snap peas require only one planting since they take longer to yield pods. For fall output, garden peas can be planted again around mid-August and mid-September.
During growth, the majority of pea types are self-sufficient. When grown in cages, trellises, or fences, taller pea types yield more and are simpler to harvest. Wooden poles, wire cages, or other fencing materials best support peas. Other than building the supports, snap and snow peas climb organically, so minimal work is needed.
Water
For optimal yield, peas must often be watered throughout their growth. Soils should be allowed to dry before re-watering to the field's capacity until half of the available water has been consumed. A moist soil encourages root rot infections and inhibits plant growth, so avoid overwatering. After blossoming, the requirement for water becomes more urgent.
Fertilisers
Peas don't need more fertiliser if compost or fertiliser is applied while planting. More nitrogen will overstimulate leaf development, postpone flowering, and decrease pod set. Through soil bacteria affixed to the roots of the plants, peas fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
Row Covers And Mulches
Fabric row coverings can protect very early plantings from frost. In the summer, apply organic mulches (straw, shredded newspaper, grass clippings) to help manage weeds, increase the soil's ability to hold water, and lower soil temperatures for autumn pea plantings.
Peas are a tasty, adaptable vegetable you can easily grow in your garden. They are a versatile element, a beautiful addition to your garden, and an excellent source of nutrients.