Peas
Crisp, sweet, and impossibly easy to grow, peas are the garden's first true reward of spring.
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Spring's Sweetest Starter
Garden peas (Pisum sativum) have been cultivated for thousands of years, with origins tracing back to the Mediterranean and Middle East. They belong to the legume family and come in three main types: shelling peas (for the seeds only), snap peas (eaten pod and all), and snow peas (flat pods harvested young). Each type brings its own texture and sweetness to the table.
What makes peas special in the vegetable garden is their love of cool weather. They thrive in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when many other crops struggle. As a bonus, peas fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, gently improving soil fertility for whatever you plant next in that bed.
Planting & care
Sow peas directly in the garden 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date, as soon as soil can be worked. Plant seeds 1 in deep and 2 in apart in rows spaced 18 in apart. Peas prefer loose, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Amend with compost but avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leafy growth at the expense of pods.
Most peas benefit from a trellis or support, even bush varieties. Install support at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod formation. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Harvest pods regularly - picking frequently encourages the plant to keep producing. Stop harvesting and remove plants once summer heat arrives.
Beat the Heat
Peas are hard-wired to quit when temperatures consistently exceed 80 degrees F. To squeeze the most out of your harvest window, choose an early-maturing variety and get seeds in the ground as early as possible. In warm climates, a fall sowing (timed so pods mature before hard frost) often outperforms spring planting entirely.
How much sun does Peas need?
Peas grows best in full sun.
How often should you water Peas?
Give it about 1 in per week.
When is Peas ready to harvest?
Peas is usually ready in 60-70 days from sowing.