The Backyard Gardener’s Guide to Growing Peas

If you’re the kind of gardener who likes to get out early in the spring to start growing vegetables well before your last frost, you’ll likely love growing peas. Peas prefer cool weather! I was reminded of just how early peas can be sown when I found an old seed packet on which my dad had written, “sown March 16.” His frost-free date was generally May 10.

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Types of Peas to Grow

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There are three main types of peas to grow for eating.

Snow peas

Snow peas are flat pods that you can eat, pod and all. A popular variety to try is ‘Oregon Snow Pod II.‘

Snap peas

Snap peas, AKA sugar snap peas, are plump pods also eaten pod and all. Many varieties include “sugar” in the name, like ‘Sugar Ann,‘ because of the sweetness when freshly picked.

Shelling peas

Shelling peas are also called English peas. You need to remove the peas from the pods, which are tough and not edible. The shelled-out peas are sweet and delicious. My favorite variety is ‘Green Arrow‘ because it has more peas per pod, which saves time when you’re removing all those peas by hand.

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When to Plant Peas

You can plant peas in the spring, much earlier than you probably think. Peas are a cool-season crop that tolerates frost. The key with pea seeds is the soil temperature, which should be above 40 F to ensure germination.

Direct sow peas four to six weeks before your usual frost-free date. Where summers are not too hot, you can try planting a second crop of peas to harvest in the fall. Sow seeds 10 to 12 weeks before your expected first frost.

How to Plant Peas

All three types of peas — snow, snap, and shelling — require the same growing conditions.

Direct sow peas in the garden

Peas don’t like their roots disturbed, so direct sow them in rows. Choose a sunny, well-draining spot. Sow seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Space rows far enough to walk between them when harvesting.

Provide support for pea vines

Peas generally produce small vines that need something to climb up. In my garden, I put up re-usable fencing just for the peas and take it down once they’re finished.

Add a soil inoculant

This step is optional. Peas are legumes so they “fix” nitrogen, taking it from the air and changing it to a form the plant can use. That’s good for the peas and whatever else you plant in that area afterward.

Peas require certain bacteria for this process, which are often present in the soil. To be sure you’ve got the right bacteria in your garden, buy an inoculant. Follow the instructions on the package to coat the seeds before planting, or apply the inoculant to your soil.

How to Grow and Care for Peas

Follow these best practices for success.

Weed rows carefully

Carefully remove any weeds that grow up around the rows so you don’t disturb the roots of the pea vines.

Water peas when you don’t get rain

As with most vegetable crops, if you have dry periods, water the peas. Because peas fix nitrogen in the soil, it isn’t necessary to fertilize the plants.

Keep rabbits away from peas

Rabbits may nibble down young pea vines, so consider fencing around your garden to keep rabbits out if they’re problematic in your area. Insect pests generally don’t bother peas.

How to Harvest Peas

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Pick peas every other day or so as they ripen. The best time is early morning, when the moisture content in the peas will be at its highest. Support the vine in one hand and pluck the pea pod off with your other hand to avoid damaging the vines, which may still be flowering and producing more peas.

If you are unsure if your peas are ready to harvest, pick a pea and taste it. Snap and snow pea pods should be tender and not taste starchy. Shelling peas should taste slightly sweet.

Snow peas

Pick snow peas when the pods are still flat before you see the seeds forming.

Snap peas

Pick snap peas when they are 2 to 3 inches long. The pods should be plump.

Shelling peas

Pick shelling peas when the pods are plump and rounded, and you can see the shape of the round pea seeds inside. Open the pods and remove (shell out) the peas. Toss or compost the pods and enjoy your fresh peas.

Remember that the sugars in the peas turn to starch when stored, so eat your peas as soon as possible after picking for the best flavor.

Compost old vines

Once the weather warms up to hot summertime temperatures, your pea plants will be done. Vines will stop growing and quickly turn brown. This indicates it’s time to pull out the vines and add them to your compost pile.

Sources

• West Virgina Extension – Legumes & Nitrogen Fixation