null

Peas

Growing Peas: A Beginner’s Guide

Peas are one of the earliest vegetables you can plant in the garden. They thrive in cool weather and bring vibrant green pods, delicate flowers and tasty, nutritious harvests. Hardy and low-maintenance, peas reward gardeners with fiber-rich, vitamin-packed pods with minimal effort.

Types of Peas

There are three main types of peas:

  • English (Shelling) Peas – Harvest the mature peas from the pod; cook without the pod.
  • Snow Peas – Harvest the pod while the peas are still small; eat the whole pod raw or cooked.
  • Snap Peas – Versatile: eat the entire pod when young or shell the peas once mature.

Peas come in different heights: dwarf (1–2 ft), semi-dwarf (2–3 ft) and tall varieties (3–6+ ft). For a longer harvest, plant early, midseason and late varieties.

Choosing a Site

Select a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct sun per day. Peas grow in most soils but prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Improve soil with compost or lightly aged manure, but avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes leaves over pods.

Planting Peas

  • Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in early spring, 4–6 weeks before the last frost.
  • Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties: plant 1–2 inches deep in wide beds or rows, providing support with brush or trellises.
  • Tall varieties: sow along a trellis or fence for climbing support.
  • Optional: add a nitrogen-fixing inoculant to boost soil fertility.
  • Keep soil moist and guide young tendrils onto supports until they climb naturally.

Indoor planting is only recommended if frost prevents early sowing. Use biodegradable pots and transplant carefully to avoid disturbing roots.

Caring for Your Peas

  • Water: At least 1 inch per week, more during flowering and pod formation.
  • Mulch: Keeps soil cool and retains moisture.
  • Fertilizer: Light feeding only; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
  • Pests/Diseases: Watch for aphids and powdery mildew; remove pests with water or insecticidal soap and practice crop rotation to prevent disease.

Fall and Container Planting

Peas can also be planted for a fall harvest in mid-August, timing sowing so pods mature before the first hard frost. If space is limited, grow peas in large containers with good potting soil, support structures and regular watering.

Harvesting and Storing

  • Pick peas frequently to encourage new pods.
  • English peas: harvest when pods are plump and green.
  • Snow peas: harvest before peas fill the pod.
  • Snap peas: edible at any stage.
  • Best eaten fresh, peas also freeze well after blanching. Avoid overcooking to retain nutrients.

Nutritional Benefits

Peas are packed with vitamins A, B and C, minerals like phosphorus and potassium, fiber, protein and folic acid. They’re low in calories, making them a healthy and delicious addition to any diet.

Peas don’t just feed you—they also feed your soil! As legumes, they fix nitrogen and improve soil structure, enriching your garden for future crops.