GROWING GUIDE - PEAS
Looking to grow beautiful, healthy peas in your garden? This guide covers planting, timing, watering, pest prevention, and harvesting so you can enjoy a long, productive pea season.
PLANTING
Sowing: Sow peas directly outdoors in early spring. Plant 1 in. deep early in the season; after mid-spring, sow about 2 in. deep if soil is drying quickly.
Spacing: Space seeds 1–3 in. apart in rows. Thinning is usually not required.
Staking: Most varieties benefit from trellising for straighter plants, better airflow, and easier picking.
Optional: Use a seed inoculant to support nitrogen fixation and strong growth.
TIMING
Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early as the soil can be worked in spring. For a fall crop, sow again in mid-to-late summer (success depends on local heat and timing before frost).
SOIL & WATERING
Soil: Use light, well-draining soil amended with compost.
Watering: Water deeply, then allow a slight dry-down between waterings—avoid waterlogged soil to reduce rot risk.
Fertilizer: For root support, you may incorporate rock phosphate or Evolve Bone Meal (item #3261) at planting time. Peas fix nitrogen naturally, so additional nitrogen is usually unnecessary. Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth with fewer pods.
HARVEST
Pick peas when pods are plump and bright green. Harvest often to encourage continued production. Multiple sowings or planting different varieties can help extend your harvest window.
STORAGE
Use peas as soon as possible for best sweetness. Refrigerate for short-term storage. For longer storage, blanch briefly and freeze.
DISEASES
Peas can be affected by blight, mildew, root rot, and wilt. Reduce risk by rotating crops, keeping the garden clean, watering at soil level, and avoiding working around plants when foliage is wet.
PESTS
Aphids can weaken plants and spread disease. Wash off with water or use an approved organic control such as Safer’s End-All (item #3380). Encourage beneficial insects and avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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