Low-maintenance and delicious, peas, whether snap, snow, pod or any of a variety of others, are a most favored side dish veggie for most diners. They are essential first food for home farmers to learn to cultivate. Here is our guide for how to grow peas.
Step 1- Getting Started
Peas don’t like to be transplanted, so it’s best to start these from seeds, directly in the ground where they’ll be growing. You have a few options on where to plant: a vegetable garden plot in your backyard, planter boxes, or just flower pots on your balcony.
An important thing to remember when using planters or pots: ensure that they have proper drainage, so that excess water can flow out.
Additionally, peas like to climb! So you’ll need garden stakes, netting, or even just suspended twine for this.
Step 2 – Planting
You can plant peas about two weeks after the last frost when the soil has warmed up, and in a place where they will get moderate sun. In full sun, they can get too hot and burn.
Start by preparing your bed, loosening the soil, and mixing in some compost or organic fertilizer.
Plant the seeds along a trellis (or something similar) about 1” deep and 2”-3” apart. Cover them gently with soil, and water well.
If you want to know what to plant with peas, read our article on companion planting.
Step 3- Taking Care
The peas should climb well on their own, but may need help getting started! If you notice they are growing onto the ground, just lift them up, and place them against the trellis.
Water them once daily, and twice in hotter weather.
Step 4 – Harvesting
By midsummer, your peas should be coming in nicely. You can eat peas at any stage, but if you leave them too long, they may get tough and dry. Over time you’ll come to know exactly when to harvest them to match your taste.
Check out these videos for more info.
