Planting Guide – Starting Peas from Seed

Have you planted your spring peas yet?

Peas are one of the first cool weather crops that can be planted directly in your garden as soon as the soil can be worked…. so what are you waiting for?  They are ridiculously easy to grow and have a fairly short growing season, so you ‘ll be able to use their spot in the garden to grow something else starting in early summer.  They fix nitrogen to the soil as they grow too, so whatever you plant in their spot next will benefit from the enriched soil.

I usually plant sugar snap, snow, and green arrow peas.  We eat the sugar snaps fresh, the snow peas in stir fry, and I can the green arrows.

How to Grow Peas from Seed:

Find a spot with full sun to plant your peas.  Sugar snap and snow peas will need a trellis to climb, and can climb up to 6′, so plan accordingly when you choose your spot.  I personally like to soak my peas in water for several hours prior to planting.  I’ve read differing opinions on whether it’s actually necessary, and I decided since it has worked well for me so far, I’ll just keep at it.

Plant your seeds about 1″ deep and about 2″ apart.  They can thrive packed in pretty tight, so you will not need to thin them.  Water them in well, but keep in mind that they do prefer a spot with good drainage {meaning they don’t want to sit in soggy dirt for extended periods of time}.  They don’t do well in the heat, it affects their flavor and growth, so make the most of the cool weather by planting them as soon as soil temperatures reach 40 degrees.

When are Peas Ready to Harvest?

Peas are ready to harvest once they have started to plump.  The amount they need to plump really depends on the variety, for example, snow peas will remain relatively flat, although, if you watch them carefully, you’ll notice they plump a little {but not enough that you let the pea develop}.  It’s kind of a live and learn process.  Don’t let any of them get too big, though, because they take on a really starchy flavor and will stop producing.

To harvest them, snip them off of the vine.  I usually hold the vine steady as I pull or snip them off, otherwise, I take a bit of the vine with me each harvest.

Random Facts That Will Impress No One:

Sugar snap and snow peas have been specially bred so that they have edible pods.  Until the 16th century, all peas were dried upon harvest and then prepared later.

Did you know that according to etiquette guides, the proper way to eat peas is to squish them onto the back of your fork?  Oh man, I have violated etiquette for years by painstakingly loading them on top of my fork.  Where are my manners?

One serving of peas contains more fiber than a slice of whole wheat bread.

Now peas get out there and grow you some {sorry, I couldn’t resist}.

~Mavis

P.S. For awesome pea recipe ideas, check out Tender by Nigel Slater.  It features over 400 garden fresh recipes {peas included, of course} and extensive gardening notes.  It’s a personal fav.