Tips for Growing Peas

There's almost nothing more delicious than eating peas for dinner while they were still growing a few hours prior to dinner. Growing peas is pretty easy overall and they can be grown in fairly poor soil if need be.

Peas can be pretty close together. I usually plant two rows per trellis. I put the peas in the ground just a couple inches from one another and I leave no more than 4 inches between the rows. It is said that peas can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked. In my experience, it is better to wait. I'm in a cold area and it's true that pea plants are very hardy, but I've noticed that if I start later the germination is quicker and seems better all around. I usually start between mid-April and the beginning of May.

Just like most of my other vegetables, I grow peas in hills. Especially with the climate change, we are having more torrential downpours than we used to have, and the hills prevent the peas from being flooded or being in standing water.

I put the trellis up immediately after I put the peas in the ground. No need to wait until the plants are big and fall over. By the time the plants are big I am far too busy in the garden with other things, I don't have time to put a trellis up, so I do it right away.

The trellis consists of just a few stakes with chicken wire. Peas don't require a very strong trellis.

The height of the trellis depends on the kind of peas. I've seen the plants grow 7 feet tall, and I've seen them as low as 2 feet. I prefer the lower ones as they can stand more wind without pushing the trellis down.

Here is a picture mid-season.

The peas are ready to be harvested once they feel hard and full. Don't be tempted to pick them when they are not completely full. They won't be ready. But here we have to keep in mind that peas won't wait until we're ready to pick them. When they are ready they need to be picked or they'll look and taste old. I am referring to peas that need to be shelled as I rarely grow the sugar snaps. The pods always seem stringy.

Shelling peas is not a quick job, it takes time. I'm easily shelling a half hour to get enough peas done for a meal for two but it's so worth it.