Vegetables - Peas
I don't have much success with peas, but carry on growing them, partly because I like eating peas, and partly because they are legumes, which are useful for crop rotation, as they fix nitrogen. I buy two packets of different varieties of peas, and sow them in four sowings March-April. The germination is very variable, and I find the different sowings means that at least one does OK. It's not because I sow them too early or late. In fact I can't work out what the pattern is. But I suspect that peas may not like the drier sandy soil we have in the garden.
There are a lot of different varieties of peas. They are earlies and main crop and so on. The packets may boast lots of seeds in a pod, or several pods together - I must admit I've not noticed much difference. The main division is between conventional peas, where you eat the peas only, and mange tout (or various other names), where you eat them earlier, while still in the pod. I think there are also climbing peas, which I would avoid.
The seeds (which are just the dried peas) are easy to handle. I sow them outside in their final location, half a pack at a time, in three very short rows each time. When they come up (if they come up!) they may need staking, as they tend to flop over. All I do is stick in various sticks from other prunings (such as raspberry or hazel) through the growing plants. Peas have tendrils, and hang on for themselves! But some years I don't bother, and they still work.
The germination is sometimes poor, and only one or two plants come up. That is why several sowings is good. Multiple sowings also spread the crop throughout several weeks. Once a pea crop is ready to harvest, it really does have to be harvested fairly soon. Slugs and snails eat the plants as well.
To harvest, pull off the pods when the peas inside are big enough. The pods start flat and gradually fatten, so this is quite easy to see. This is an early to mid summer crop. Pinch the pods sideways to pop them open. You may find little crawling grubs inside. These are pea weevils. You can discard that pod, or try to rescue a pea or two from the end of the pod that the grub hasn't got to yet.
If you miss a pod or two, the pod starts to dry up, and the peas go more starchy. I must admit that I enjoy a starchy pea or two among the sweetness of young peas! They're still edible, anyway, although they may need a bit more cooking. A few minutes boiling is sufficient for the young peas. Yoy can freeze peas, but we usually manage to eat them as they arrive.
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© Jo Edkins 2021 - Return to Garden index