Melinda Myers

Peas

Botanical Name

Pisum sativum

Hardiness

Annual

Height

1 to 8 feet

Width

6 to 12 inches

Flowers

Mid spring to mid summer: light green, blue-green

Fruit

Early, late, snow, and edible pod (snap) varieties

Light

Full sun (best) to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained, loose, cool

Planting & Care

• Peas germinate best in temperatures 40°F to 85°F - with 75°F being the ideal temp for seed germination
• Direct sow in early spring when the ground becomes workable. Sow seeds 1 to 1¹/₂ inches deep and 1 inch apart in single or double rows. Allow 18 to 24 inches between single or pairs of rows and 8 to 10 inches between double rows
• For a fall harvest, plant seeds 8 to 10 weeks before first frost date
• Prolonged summer heat can result in a poor fall yield. Look for more heat tolerant varieties
• Stake or trellis at planting
• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as this results in more foliage growth and poor flowering and fruiting
• Much soil to suppress weeds, retain moisture and maintain soil temperature

Problems

Aphids, seedcorn maggot, wilt, powdery mildew, fusarium wilt

Varieties

• Green Arrow - resistant to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew, 28 inches
• Snowflake - high yielding, 22 inches
• Wando - good heat resistance
• Mr. Big - English or garden pea, consistently large pods, high yielding, good disease resistance, indeterminate vine, All-America Selections winner
• Patio Pride - early maturity at 40 days, great for containers and succession planting, AAS winner
• Snak Hero - 4" long pods have the taste and texture of a snap pea, super sweet, stringless, 18-24" vines, AAS winner