Pea

Peas are cool-season vegetables packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They're not only delicious but also easy to grow, making them a popular choice for home gardens.

Preparing for Growing:

1. Selecting a planting location: Choose a spot with full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.
2. Soil preparation: Work the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, removing rocks and debris. Incorporate organic matter like compost or aged manure for added nutrients.
3. Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If space is limited, peas can be grown in containers or raised beds filled with potting soil.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

1. Seed preparation: Pea seeds do not require any special preparation.
2. Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use biodegradable pots or seed trays filled with seed-starting mix.
3. Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Plant pea seeds 1 inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist. Provide adequate light for germination.
4. Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Once seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or directly into the garden.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

1. Soil preparation: Prepare the soil by raking it smooth and removing weeds.
2. Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Sow pea seeds directly into the garden in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
3. Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

1. Selecting suitable plants for containers: Choose compact pea varieties suitable for container growing, such as bush peas.
2. Container and soil preparation: Ensure containers have drainage holes and fill them with a quality potting mix.
3. Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, spacing them according to package instructions.
4. Caring for container plants: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist and provide support for climbing varieties.

Transplanting to Garden:

1. Soil and planting site preparation: Prepare the garden bed by amending the soil with compost and ensuring proper drainage.
2. Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant pea seedlings when they have 2-3 true leaves, spacing them 2-3 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart.
3. Post-transplant care: Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Provide support for climbing varieties with trellises or stakes.

Plant Care:

1. Watering: Peas require consistent moisture, especially during flowering and pod formation. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells.
2. Fertilizing: Peas are light feeders and generally do not require much fertilizer. Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.
3. Weeding: Keep the garden bed or container free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
4. Pest and disease management: Monitor for pests such as aphids and pea moths, and diseases like powdery mildew and damping-off. Use row covers, organic insecticides, or fungicides as needed.

Harvesting:

1. Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest peas when the pods are plump and well-filled but still tender. Pick frequently to encourage continued production.
2. Harvesting and storage guidelines: Use scissors or pruners to harvest pea pods, cutting them from the vine. Store harvested peas in the refrigerator and use them within a few days for best quality.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• USDA Zones 3-7: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date or sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring.
• USDA Zones 8-10: Peas can be grown as a winter crop in these zones, sowing seeds in late summer for fall and winter harvests.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: 1 inch
• Seed spacing: 2-3 inches
• Plant spacing: 18-24 inches
• Number of seeds per pot/container: 4-6 seeds per pot, thinning to the strongest seedlings
• Water preferences: Evenly moist soil
• Sun preferences: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
• Companion Planting: Peas grow well with carrots, radishes, and lettuce. Avoid planting them near onions and garlic.
• Temperature Preference: Cool-season crop, prefers temperatures between 55-75°F.
• Days to Germination: 7-14 days
• Days to Harvest: 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety.