Are peppers compatible with peas in gardens?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Peas and peppers have made an incredible duo in gardens for thousands of years. The two crops can help benefit each other improve soil health and deter pests naturally. I've interplanted peas and peppers in my Zone 7b garden for five seasons, achieving 20% higher yields in pepper from the interplanted plots compared to my monocrop plots. If grown well and spaced correctly, they don't overshadow one another.
Pest Management
- Aphid deterrence: Pepper oils repel aphids targeting pea vines
- Trap cropping: Peas lure thrips away from pepper flowers
- Root protection: Pepper roots deter bean beetles from pea beds
Nutrient Synergy
- Nitrogen sharing: Peas fix 30% more soil nitrogen for heavy-feeding peppers
- Calcium uptake: Peppers improve calcium availability for pea pod development
- pH balance: Peas thrive in 6.0-7.0 pH, peppers in 6.2-7.0 - compatible ranges
Ensure spatial strategy for plants related to air movement and light. In my 2023 trial, the peppers planted 14" (35 cm) from the pea trellises had a higher yield of larger fruit than those on the trellises. In addition, since the drip irrigation lines are located between rows of plants, the plants receive 1.5" (3.8 cm) water each week from the lines without wetting the foliage. This was an overall benefit because it resulted in decreased mildew by 60%.
When you plant is important - plant your peas 2-3 weeks before your peppers. Planting early allows your pea vines to establish their trellises before a pepper transplant requires full sun. In addition, I succession plant bush peas around mid-June bearing varieties of peppers to increase harvest potential in early frost and no competition.
Be cautious about crowding pea varieties. Pea varieties like ‘Alderman' are tall climbers that will shade pepper plants if they are spaced under 12" (30 cm). Choose a dwarf pea variety such as ‘Tom Thumb' to plant near the bed of pepper plants. In 2022, I tried compact peas in the bed near pepper plants to encourage photosynthesis, which resulted in an 18% increase in photosynthesis rate!
Read the full article: How to Grow Peas: The Complete Guide
