At a glance
Ease of culture: Moderate
Where: Cool to subtropical zones
Types: Shelling, sugar snap, snow peas, dwarf peas
Best climate: Cool, temperate
When: Autumn and winter
Spacing: 10cm
Harvest: 10-14 weeks
pH: 6-7
Climate
• Peas like cool conditions with temperatures between 15-24ºC. They hate frost
• Sow from February to August in cool, temperate frost-free areas; September to October in cold districts; and April to July in subtropical regions
• Peas are not suited to the hot tropics, except in cooler highland areas. However, snow peas are more heat-tolerant and can be sown late March to early May.
• Peas need at least 6 hours of sun a day
• Provide some protection from strong damaging winds
Soil
• Peas grow in a variety of soils, but the drainage must be good
• Loosen soil with a fork to a depth of 30cm
• Toss in 2 full buckets of manure or compost per square metre – more for heavy clay soil
• Sprinkle a tight fistful of sulphate of potash per square metre to assist flowering and fruiting, and disease resistance
• A pH of 6-7 is best. If your pH is lower than 6, spread a handful of lime every square metre
• Mix your additives through with a fork and mound the soil to improve drainage
• Soak the soil and leave it to settle for a few hours before planting
Support
• Most peas are climbers and need a support structure
• Attach a few vertical wires to a wall or fence or stretch a roll of plastic mesh between two tomato stakes. Alternatively, bind bamboo poles or tree branches to make trellises or tepees to add a rustic charm
• Install support frames before sowing. Align them in a north-south direction so that plants see the sun on both sides of the frame
• Support frames are not essential with dwarf peas. These only grow 50-75cm high and are reasonably self-supporting, especially when planted in blocks or double rows
Sowing
• The best method for planting peas is sowing seed directly in the soil
• Mark rows for planting by pressing a rake handle into the prepared soil, and then drag a trowel along the line to form a furrow 3-5cm deep
• Make rows 80-90cm apart for climbers and 40-50cm for dwarf peas
• Dribble seeds along the rows 10-15cm apart. For tepees, plant 3-4 seeds at the base of each pole
• Cover the seeds with about 2cm of soil
• Water seeds well, then don’t water again until they germinate. Pea seeds can rot when the soil is constantly wet
Training, watering and fertilising
• Young shoots emerge in about 10 days
• Insert short twigs beside seedlings to help guide them towards their frame
• Start watering when seedlings are 5-10cm tall, gradually increasing the depth of watering as they grow. Maintain consistent soil moisture to ensure good-quality returns. Mulch soil to trap in valuable moisture
• Pinch the tip growth out of the plants when 20-30cm tall, to encourage branching and higher yields.
• Peas fix their own nitrogen and don’t need a lot of fertiliser – just a sprinkle of all-purpose organic fertiliser when the pods are forming
Harvesting
• Peas form pods about 10 weeks after planting
• Pick peas for shelling when the pods are just plump – don’t let them get too old – check plants daily when they’re in full production
• Harvest just before cooking for the sweetest flavour
• Peak harvest lasts only 3 weeks or so, but successive sowing once a month will ensure an ongoing supply
• Bumper harvests can be lightly blanched and frozen
