Types of Peas

Peas can be broadly classified into: 

• Garden peas: These peas can be used for shelling and have a sweeter flavour. They are further classified into first earlies, having the shortest harvesting period of 12 weeks (e.g. Meteor), second earlies have about 14 weeks of harvesting period (e.g. Jaguar), and main crops take about 16 weeks to attain maturity (e.g. Bingo, Jumbo and Boogie).

• Marrowfat: These types of peas are large and mature, and are allowed to dry naturally. They are often used to make a British staple, mushy peas.

• Mangetout: This is a sweet and crispy pea, where the entire pod is edible, unlike shelling peas. They are also known as snow peas or sugar peas. (eg. Shiraz, Snow Wind and Golden Sweet)

• Sugarsnap: This pea has fleshy, rounded pods, and both the pods and the peas inside are eaten. (eg. Purple Magnolia and Zuccola)

When to Plant Peas

• When growing peas, you can begin sowing from late February onwards; earlier sown the sooner you can pop those pods! Peas can be sown until July.
• Indoor sowing helps prevent seeds from rotting during the early months, when the soil is still cold. It also keeps young seedlings safe from mice and other rodents.
• They can be planted outside between late March or June, when the ground is frost-free. The plants must be hardened off and kept under cloches during the night if  temperatures are cooler in your area. Peas do not germinate in very cold temperatures.

• Sowing early and protected helps prevent problems like Pea Moth or getting eaten by mice.  

Tips for Growing Peas

Sowing in guttering is an effective way to save space in your greenhouse and makes it easy to slide seedlings into a prepared trench when planting outside. Prepare a trench to plant them in rows and spaced for growth; staggered rows allow more room.  

They need to be sown approximately 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Make your trench wide enough for two rows, and they can effectively grow on either side of your support system. 

They will require support unless you have opted for a dwarf variety. Peas have climbing twine-type foliage that can grow around wire or string. You can run this around and in between each cane support to construct a make-shift trellis/fence for them to grow. Ensure it is sturdy enough to withstand the weight when they produce pods and can withstand any windy conditions. 

Peas like well-drained soil and do not require added manure. Their root systems allow them to produce their own nitrogen. If the soil is acidic, add some lime. 

Peas require regular watering during dry spells. You can also add some mulch to retain the moisture in the soil. Peas like the cool Spring weather; not too hot and not too cold. 

Build A-frames for Growing Peas

A-frames offer the best support to the pea vines. To build your A-frames, begin by placing two canes about 50cm apart, with their tops meeting, like a tent or teepee. There should be at least 25 cm between each bamboo arrangement. 

You can add bamboo attached by garden twine over the top of the X-like shape formed by criss-crossing the bamboo. You can drape gardening netting over these frames.

How to Harvest Peas?

Are you wondering when to pick peas? Watch for pods that swell with round peas and give slightly when you press them between your fingers.

Once the pods fatten up and bulge, your pea pods should be ready for harvesting. Pick them regularly to encourage re-growth and start from the bottom up.

You can eat them fresh, and they are a lovely crunchy addition to a salad. You can cook them, and you can freeze them. Freeze a bumper harvest quickly to lock in the freshness. Alternatively, they can be dried. 

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