Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Peas (
Pisum sativum
)
Peas are a great snack fresh from the garden and provide high levels of vitamin C and iron. Low-
maintenance in the garden, peas don't usually need extra fertilizer. Peas stop producing in the
highest temperatures, so in areas with hot summers you'll want to plant them in spring and later
summer.
We started out planting peas in double rows on either side of a trellis and allowed all the plants to
grow up. I read in
Mother Earth News
a suggestion to plant a shorter-growing variety beside the
longer, rambling pea vines. Then the quick-growing short vines mature more quickly as well as
helping to support the longer variety pea vines as they grow.
Sow your peas about 1 inch deep in soil that is not too cold or wet or the peas will rot. Spring
plantings are often better started indoors and then transplanted outdoors when they have a good
start of a couple inches. In the late fall, plant outdoors where the warm soil will help with germina-
tion. Peas can be soaked overnight to help increase the germination rate as well.
Peas mature between 11 to 14 weeks depending on the variety. There are four main types of peas.
Snap peas are eaten whole with the peas still in the pods and are harvested when the peas just
barely begin to show. Soup peas, on the other hand, are grown for drying and storing and so are
harvested when they have dried completely on the vine. Snow peas produce tender pods, eaten
whole, and are often added to stir-fries and salads. Shell peas, or English peas, are grown until the
pea pods are full and are shelled from the pods.
harveStinG PeaS
Use care when harvesting climbing peas so you don't break the clasping tendrils when you pull off the
pods. Hold the plant steady with one hand and pluck the pods off the vine with the other. Pick peas often
to encourage healthy production and preserve extra harvest by freezing, canning, or drying.
Peas are sometimes eaten off the vine by birds and rodents. Mosaic virus can also be a problem in
some regions, especially where peas are overcrowded or lack good airflow. Root rot is a problem
where fungus gathers in the soil, and rotating crops can help minimize that problem.
Alaska.
One of the earliest maturing peas, it isn't always as tender as some of the other peas, but
makes a great soup pea. Fifty days to maturity makes for a short growing time.
Lincoln.
Also called the Homesteader, this pea is highly heat tolerant and wilt resistant. Compact
vines produce loads of easy-to-shell peas.
Mammoth Melting.
A sweet snap pea with wilt-resistant vines up to 6 feet long. Best in cool
weather.
