Peas are a wonderful addition to any garden. They are easy to grow, practical to store, and make a great side dish or addition to any meal. As a nutritious vegetable, peas are packed with vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and protein, yet add very few calories to your diet. Planting peas in your garden, harvesting them, and serving them to your family is a great deal all around.
Planting Peas
There are many types of peas, with the most common being green peas, snap peas, and snow peas. While they differ in taste and use, the growing process for all types is the same.
Peas are a cool-season vegetable that thrives in cool, moist weather and are even frost-tolerant. In the United States, peas can be grown in nearly any region, although they don’t do well in hot weather, so summer is not the ideal time to plant them. The best time to plant pea seeds is just after the last snow melts.
Peas require sunlight, good air circulation, and well-draining soil to thrive. As thirsty plants, they need plenty of water, especially when blooming. Peas are also climbing plants, so they will need support for their vines.
When selecting a planting location, it’s best to run the rows north to south to ensure proper exposure to the sun and good air circulation. The soil should be prepared by composting organic matter such as dried manure and leaves to ensure fertility and drainage. You can set up trellises for the plants to climb or plant them near a netting frame or chain-link fence for support.
Before planting the seeds, soak them overnight or for at least one hour. Dusting the seeds with an inoculant, available at most garden centers, will improve germination by helping the seeds absorb nitrogen, which is essential for pea roots. It will also protect the seeds from diseases. Alternatively, you can use inoculant-containing liquid compost during the soil composting process instead of dusting the seeds.
Plant the prepared seeds in rows 8 to 10 inches apart. Within each row, space the seeds about one inch apart in a furrow that is about three inches deep. Cover the seeds with about one inch of soil. After 10 to 20 days, when the seedlings appear, be cautious when hoeing or watering, as the seedlings are fragile. The furrow will help protect them until they start growing. As they grow, ensure the vines are properly supported. When the plants begin to bloom, ensure they receive plenty of water, as they need it to thrive.
Harvesting Peas
Knowing when to harvest peas can be tricky. For green peas, it’s best to pick them when the pods are swollen and mature. Picking too late will result in peas that are starchy and hard. Snap peas should be harvested before the peas inside grow too large, but when the pods are plump. Snow peas are best when they remain flat, not plump. With a bit of practice, you’ll learn the optimal time to harvest each type of pea for the best flavor and quality.
Storing Peas
Fresh peas are great for salads, side dishes, or stir-fries. If possible, use them immediately after harvesting. However, if you have a large crop, storing them may be necessary. Fresh peas can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. For long-term storage, peas can be canned or frozen. Canning tends to degrade their quality slightly, so freezing is the best option if you can’t use them fresh.
To freeze green peas, shell and wash them thoroughly right after harvesting. Blanch them in boiling water for 1.5 minutes, then immediately submerge them in ice-cold water. Drain them well and pack them in freezer containers or bags, leaving about half an inch of space in the container. If using bags, be sure to remove as much air as possible.
For snap peas, “string” and snap them, then wash before blanching. Snow peas only need to be washed (no need to shell, string, or snap). Both snap peas and snow peas should be blanched for 2 to 3 minutes in boiling water and then stored following the same freezing procedure as green peas.