The taste of freshly picked homegrown peas warrants them to be in everyone's veggie patch. Try some in a pasta with bacon or in a salad or simply pureed, either way they will give you a burst of sweet goodness.
Planting Calendar
Peas are best grown in winter and early spring.
Harvest In
55-65 Days
Pick regularly to encourage more flowers and pods. The lower pods ripen first so make sure you look for them under the leaves.
Prepare
Position
Peas like to be grown in a sunny spot with plenty of air movement. If space is an issue, grow climbing varieties up tepees, fences or trellis as they can reach 2m.
Soil
When planted into the ground peas like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost, Kings Sheep Pellets along with some Nature's Organic fertiliser then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Living Earth Organic Vegetable Mix with Saturaid added to assist with dispersing water down to the roots.
Plant
Peas can be sown directly into the garden, raised beds or containers that are at least 30cm deep. Or sown into a seed tray with organic seed raising mix and transplanted out once they have developed their second set of leaves. Seeds should be planted 2.5 cm deep and spaced 5cm apart. Gently remove the seedling from the tray and plant into the vegetable garden. Take care when transplanting so that the young soft roots are not damaged. Gently firm the soil down after planting and water in well with Aquaticus Garden Booster, this will help the seedlings settle in.
Care
Watering
Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soil surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone.
Feeding
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. If planted into a container, feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.
Protecting
Protect your juicy seedlings from slugs and snails with Quash. Cover with bird netting to keep birds away.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.
Spraying
If mildew is an issue spray with Organic Super Sulphur.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
Don't forget to throw your pea shells into the compost as they will add essential nutrients as it composts down.
Expert Tip
After the crop has finished dig the plants into the soil as they are rich in nitrogen and will return it back to the soil as it breaks down.
Top Varieties
Snow Peas
Snow peas produce heavy crops of flat, crisp, sweet tasting pea pods on a compact vine. Pick regularly to prolong the harvest. Does not require staking but some support will add in harvesting to keep the pods off the ground.
Sugar Snap
Sugar Snap has sweet, crisp edible peas and pods produced over many weeks. Plants need some frame to grow up.
Greenfeast
A mid season variety that is noted for its extremely heavy crop of large, even, well filled pods. Greenfeast is a shelling variety that has best flavour if harvested as soon as pods are plump and well filled with juicy peas. Although a dwarf variety some support will help keep the pods off the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I plant peas?
Peas can be sown directly into the garden, raised beds or containers that are at least 30cm deep. Or sown into a seed tray with organic seed raising mix and transplanted out once they have developed their second set of leaves. Seeds should be planted 2.5 cm deep and spaced 5cm apart.
When is the best time to plant peas?
The best time to plant peas is in early spring (August to September) or late summer (February to March).
How often should I water peas?
Water peas regularly, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Can I grow peas in containers?
Peas can be grown in containers. Choose a large pot with good drainage and provide support for the vines.
When are peas ready to harvest?
Pick regularly to encourage more flowers and pods. The lower pods ripen first so make sure you look for them under the leaves.