How To Grow Organic Peas - MIgardener Growing Guide
Peas are one of my favorite veggies to grow. They're easy to grow, delicious, and whimsically beautiful. There is a huge variety of choices when it comes to peas. Most require trellising, except for dwarf varieties. Usually, peas can be grown in the spring and fall growing season, depending on the weather. Did you know that every part of a pea plant is edible? In this growing guide, we'll share tips to get the most out of your peas this gardening season! Let's get started.
Soil Prep:
Pea plants have small stems, so make sure that your soil is loose and well-draining. Mix pure compost with even amounts of worm castings and sand for perfectly loose soil. Similar soil requirements to lettuce.
Fertilize:
Even though peas are known to be nitrogen-fixing plants, to get maximum production, they still benefit significantly from a helping of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. One part fish emulsion to one part blood meal is our recommended mix. A serving of Trifecta+ is also a good source of nitrogen and phosphorus. As an all-purpose fertilizer and soil amender, Trifecta+ will cover all the bases. Add a second helping of nitrogen-rich fertilizer after flowers bloom to increase the production of fruits.
Ph Level:
7.0, a medium level ph.
Spacing/Trellising:
1-2 inches in a 3-inch band, with trellis rows of 4-6ft. Peas will gladly climb any available trellis, but my favorite method is handmade trellis supports. Tip: It's important to know that peas are one of the easiest things to start from seed. This method prevents transplant shock. The plant will acclimate to its environment better if started from seed in the same place you want it to grow. Peas are a plant that won't fuss too much if the spacing is cramped.
Sunlight/Temperature:
40°F- 85°F is the happy medium place to get the most out of your pea plant. Not too hot, not too cold. Peas are made to grow in that middle ground between the middle of spring to early summer. Keep away from full sun to avoid burning your plants. 5-6 hours of sunlight maximum. High-intensity spacing will help shade the bottom of the plant from the hot sun, and keep the ground cool at the same time.
Water:
Approximately 1 inch of water per week. Peas do well with regular watering that will supply them with even soil moisture. If mulched, peas will rarely need watering in early spring. In the hotter months, remember to water generously each time to ensure that your plant won't dry up.
Harvesting:
It takes about 50-80 days until your peas are ready to harvest, depending on why you are growing them. Harvest garden peas for green shell use when the peas have filled the pod, but before it starts to deteriorate. Pick peas about three weeks after they blossom. Harvest sugar snap pea pods when they are full-sized and contain large peas. Pick snow peas when the pods have formed, but the peas are just beginning to form little bumps. Eat fresh-picked peas as soon as possible for the best texture and flavor.
Written by - Kaitlynn from MIgardener
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I’d love more info on the difference between snap peas, shelling peas, and snow peas. Not sure when to grow full peas or just eat the pods.
Posting this for Matt based on info I’ve found on his question (plus my own experience one year): it’s recommended to direct sow the peas 4-6 weeks before LFD instead of starting indoors and transplanting. Fragile and easy to damage (the stems) plus they tangle a lot as they grow so when I tried indoor start my first year it was really hard to successfully transplant them! I believe the root systems are also kind of large so if you do start indoors you’ll need deeper container. Basically it seems best to plant direct in garden even if cold outside, according to most. (you could always try a test doing both one year to really see what works for you though…)
Is it worth starting snap peas inside and then transplanting?
Luke I just want to thank you, your wife & your team. I have been a follower of yours since way before a MIgardener store. I watched your utube videos when you were making fertilizer in a wheel barrow, wow what a long way you’ve come!! You made me a better, more knowledgeable & conscientious gardener. I want to thank you for that. At 62 I still am learning from my mistakes which arent really mistakes in the long run. Thank you for all youve done for the growing community, thank you for bagging Trifecta+ ( or as I call it plant crack) & thank you for turning this long time gardener into a better more adventurous gardener. God bless you. Luanne
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