How do you protect peas from pests?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.To protect your peas from pests, start with proactive organic strategies and avoid reactive spraying with chemical pesticides. Prevent issues before they arise. Companion planting and simple physical barriers can help maintain the integrity of your garden ecosystems. My pea crop has remained pest-free for years!
Companion Planting
- Plant garlic and mint to repel aphids naturally
- Intercrop with radishes to lure flea beetles away
- Grow marigolds to deter nematodes in soil
Physical Barriers
- Install row covers immediately after planting
- Use fine mesh netting to exclude birds and insects
- Apply copper tape around containers to deter slugs
Cultural Practices
- Rotate pea beds annually to disrupt pest cycles
- Remove plant debris where pests overwinter
- Space plants for maximum airflow between vines
Make daily inspections, especially of the undersides of leaves and of new shoots. A cursory glance with a magnifying glass helps to detect any early infestation. An [antique glass jar](https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/VintageTheresAwesome) filled with soapy water in which to drop the creatures is a good companion. I try to make this a part of my daily morning ritual, especially in the height of the growing season.
Make great organic sprays with these simple recipes: for aphids, mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of soap to a quart of water. For chewing insects, blend garlic and chili powder. I always test the sprays on a single leaf first. I store mine in labeled spray bottles.
Row cover removal: as soon as the plants begin flowering, remove the row covers, allowing pollinators access, but offer them protection again during those more vulnerable flower and seed-bearing stages. Make sure the edges are completely secured with soil, or stones. I prefer to use hoops and keep the fabric far above the foliage of the plants to avoid crushing them.
Utilize crop rotation. Move your peas to new beds each year and follow them up with a heavy nitrogen feeder, such as corn. Never put a legume in the same ground more than once in three years, at least, and I map my garden for regular rotation so that the same may be observed and run of the "cabbage maggot" interrupted, etc.
Attract beneficial insects with companion flowers. Sow alyssum that will attract helpful hoverflies, which devour aphids and other plant-harming insect pests, plant dill for the parasitic wasps. Also, provide sources of water for the predatory insects. A border around my pea patches with an insectary is an easy way to attract many beneficial insects to the location.
Determine treatment thresholds before treating. Small amounts of pests usually return to an acceptable level without intervention. A 10% threshold is appropriate for taking action on plant damage. I accept imperfections of some leaves because natural biodiversity controls pest populations more efficiently than constant intervention practices.
Read the full article: How to Grow Peas: A Complete Guide
