
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
Related Content
Article
Categories
Upcoming Appearances
Feb. 24, 2021
Low Maintenance Gardening
Webinar
Feb. 25, 2021
Planning Your Rain Garden
Webinar
Feb. 27, 2021
Creating a Private Garden Space
Webinar
March 3, 2021
Summer Blooming Bulbs
Webinar
Register today! Plus, watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND
for a limited time.
Learn More