How to Grow Peas: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re new to gardening, peas are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow! These cool-season crops thrive in early spring and fall, providing a delicious harvest with minimal effort. Whether you’re growing sugar snap peas, snow peas, shelling peas, or a selection of each of them, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cultivate a successful pea crop! And if you have been following me for a while you know my family adores growing peas.
When to Start Pea Seeds
Peas thrive in cool weather, so timing is key to a successful harvest! Here’s when to start:
Spring Planting: Directly sow pea seeds in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before your last expected frost. Peas can handle a light frost, and early planting helps them establish before the summer heat sets in. This also creates a stronger root system then if you were to start them indoors. You can start them indoors 4 weeks before you plant out as well if you want a head start on the season.
Fall Planting: In warmer climates, a second planting can be done 8 to 10 weeks before your first expected frost to enjoy a late-season harvest. I start mine indoors mid July and plant out mid August in a cool bed that will still get sun in the fall.
Choosing a Planting Location
Peas grow best in full sun but can tolerate shadier spots (a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight) and well-draining soil. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.5) that is rich in organic matter such as compost.
Planting Steps
Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil slightly from the previous year and mix in compost for added nutrients.
Sow seeds: Sow your seeds 1 to 1.5 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows. Note if heavy rains occur after you plant the peas, they may pop up above soil, check after and push down.
Provide support: Support your climbing varieties by installing a trellis or fencing material like we do (check out my DIY trellis here!). Even shorter varieties benefit from some support. An affordable option is a DIY bamboo trellis that is 5 feet high.
Water: Gently water after planting and keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until seedlings emerge.
Caring for Pea Plants
Watering: Water at the base of the plants to prevent mildew. Depending on your temperatures, water daily or twice a day during the summer months. Always check the soil with your fingers 1 inch down for moisture.
Companion Planting: Add nasturtiums or dill around your pea plants to repel unwanted pests or trap pests.
Fertilizing: Peas don’t need much fertilizer, but an occasional side dressing of compost or organic fish fertilizer can encourage growth.
Benefits of Growing Peas in the Garden
Peas are not only delicious but can be beneficial for your garden as well. Peas are legumes, meaning that they naturally add nitrogen to your soil, benefitting future crops like cucumbers. Plant plants that like nitrogen after peas in the garden. If you’re strapped for space, peas also make a great option for growing since they grow vertically!
When and How to Harvest Peas
Shelling peas: Harvest when pods are plump and you can feel the peas are full inside.
Snap peas: Pick when pods are full but still tender. Eat them whole, pod and all.
Snow peas: Best when flat and just beginning to develop seeds inside.
Harvest often to encourage continued production. The more you pick, the more peas your plants will produce!
Final Tips for Growing Peas
Here are some quick tips that may come in handy for your pea crops this growing season, and in the future!:
Plant densely for a wall of peas look like ours! We plant on each side of the trellis
Choose the right variety! Some grow 4-5 feet tall and others 7-8 feet tall
We plant Alderman variety, also known as tall telephone
Protect from critters and birds if needed! We lean up metal fencing until the peas are 1 foot tall.
Growing peas is a simple and rewarding experience, even for beginner gardeners. A perfect vegetable to grow with kids as harvest time is the best! With proper timing and care, you’ll enjoy a delicious, homegrown crop while improving your soil for future plantings. Happy gardening!
