How do I start growing peas as a beginner?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Growing peas start with selecting bush types like 'Tom Thumb' for smaller areas or 'Sugar Snap' for climbing planted vertically. Check soil temperature - look for 40-75°F (4-24°C) with a probe thermometer to get the most accurate reading. I have sprouted in reused yogurt containers where I poked sides for drainage holes using a nail.
Soil Preparation
- Mix compost at 30% volume with native soil
- Test pH - adjust to 6.0-7.5 using lime or sulfur
- Avoid fresh manure - it burns young roots
Planting Basics
- Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep (2.5-5 cm)
- Space bushes 2-3 inches apart (5-7.5 cm)
- Install trellises before vining types emerge
Water pea plants each week until they blossom with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water, then switch to about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of water once pods develop. Make sure you don't overwater them -> my neighbor did that and her crop died! When in doubt, do the "knuckle test" - if you stick your finger in the soil up to your knuckle and the soil sticks to your finger, wait a day before watering.
Organic pest management limits chemical accumulation - spray aphids with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dish soap in 1 quart (0.95 L) water. For example, my companion planted radishes with mint last season, and it reduced damage from beetles by almost 60%.
Collect snow peas while they are flat and snap peas when they are plump. Store in bags with small holes at a temperature of 32°F (0°C). I keep snow peas in the freezer at this temperature using blanching, which consists of 90 seconds of boiling water followed by ice water. The pods remain bright green and crunchy after thawing.
Read the full article: How to Grow Peas: The Complete Guide
