Peas

Peas

• Why you should grow it
  • Peas are a great starter crop, easy to grow
  • It does well in most kinds of soil and in partial shade
  • Peas add nitrogen back into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria

• • At the end of the life of the pea plant, cut the plant at ground level, leave the roots in the soil to break down and release the nitrogen
  • The first crop you can start inside in March, direct sow April to late June for harvests in the fall

• How to start seeds
  • Start indoors in March and plant out when the risk of frost has passed
  • Continue to plant throughout the season to have new peas starting
  • Needs cooler soil to germinate
    • If planting out in the summer, shade the soil
    • Plant under taller plants like tomatoes, nasturtiums
    • Keep the soil consistently moist

• Tips for growth
  • Plant a trellis behind your peas to allow them to grow taller
    • Peas can grow over 7ft tall depending on the variety
    • This will allow for good airflow and for more peas to grow, as well as easier harvesting
  • Water consistently, they like cooler soils and water helps cool the soil

• Harvesting
  • When the pea pods look full, snap off the pea from the stem with your fingers or scissors
  • Continue to harvest throughout the summer regularly to promote good growth
  • Depending on the variety, you can eat the whole pod, others you may need to shell
  • Eat them quickly after picking to maximize the flavour

• Saving Seeds
  • Saving seeds couldn’t be easier
    • Leave some pods on the vine to dry out – well beyond being edible
    • Snap off the pods and shell the peas, leave them to dry out more in a sunny, dry location
    • When the peas shatter when hit, they are dry enough
    • Label with the variety and year, store in a dry and cool place