Pea is a member of the Pisum family. Its botanical name is Pisum sativum. The scientific name epithet sativum means 'having been cultivated'.
A great cool climate crop, Peas are a good choice for the home veggie patch. There are many varieties to choose from, from tender mangetout types to regular podded peas.
Pea flowers are self-contained, and do not require bees for pollination. They also will not hybridize with other plants without intervention, so seed can be safely saved even if you are growing multiple varieties.
There are different varieties of pea pods. Edible pod, or mangetout peas are meant to be eaten while immature. Regular peas have tough, stringy pods which are not intended to eat at any age.
Pea flowers are self-contained, and do not require bees for pollination. They also will not hybridize with other plants without intervention, so seed can be safely saved even if you are growing multiple varieties.
Its fruits normally ripen as a colour very similar to Apple green. Pea is an edible vegetable / legume annual, it will last but a year in its native climate. Pea is known for its viny habit and growing to a height of approximately 1.55 metres (5.04 feet). Expect blooming to occur in late spring and harvesting to start by early summer. Popular varieties of Pea with home gardeners are Green Arrow, Little Marvel, Alaska, Telephone, and Wando.Pea is normally quite a low maintenance plant and is normally very easy to grow - great for beginner gardeners!
This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Pea have been kindly provided by our members.
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How to grow Pea
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Full Sun
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High
- Peas are quite frost hardy, and can be sown during what most people would still consider winter.
- Most peas require a trellis to climb.
- Peas grow best in a fairly open space in the garden in well dug soil.
- Sow peas at regular intervals to prolong the cropping season.
Growing Pea from seed
Direct sow. Germinates in cool soils. Best to soak seed for between 1 and 24 hours before planting, and dust seed with innoculant of nitrogen fixing bacteria if you are planting in soil that has not grown peas or beans before.
Sow in bands rather than single rows in trenches 5cm deep and 15cm wide. Scatter seeds thinly.
An alternative idea for sowing peas is to fill lengths of plastic guttering with compost and sow seeds as above. When the seedlings are well established, prepare a trench and slide the entire contents out of the guttering “mould” into the trench then grow as usual.
Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 2.97 inches (7.62 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.99 inches (2.54 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 4°C / 39°F.By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Pea about 35 days before your last frost date .
Transplanting Pea
Peas do not transplant well. Peas do not grow well in heat of summer, therefore direct sow early in spring (5 weeks before last frost) and in Fall (10 weeks before first frost) 1.
Pea is half hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.By our calculations*, you should look at planting out Pea about 0 days after your last frost date.
Harvesting Pea
You will know when peas are ready to harvest by how firm the pods are – initially you might have to open a few to get a feel for when they are ready. To pick the peas, hold the plant firm while you pick to ensure you don’t accidently uproot the plant. Any surplus pea harvest should be frozen straightaway.
Companion plants for Pea
These plants have been known to grow well alongside Pea so consider planting:
If you are growing a tall variety of pea, try planting shade loving plants at the base.
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Pea likes Radish
Good for planting under pea plants as they are shade loving vegetables.
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Pea loves Spinach
Grows well under pea plants as it enjoys a shady situation.
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Pea loves Sweet corn
provides shade and a trellis
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Pea loves Carrot
Repellent plants for Pea
These plants will not grow well with Pea so avoid planting these within close proximity:
Onions – both will grow poorly.
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Pea hates Allium
Alliums have a tendency to stunt growth in peas.
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Pea hates Garlic
Alliums have a tendency to stunt growth in peas.
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Pea hates Onion
Alliums have a tendency to stunt growth in peas.
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Pea dislikes Gladiolus
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Pea dislikes Common Grape Vine
Common Pea problems
These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Pea plants:
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White powdery spot disease that affects a large variety of plants.
Other names for Pea
Peas, O'odham peas, Dwarf pea, Sugar snap pea
Pisum sativum L.
Misspellings: Peas
Latest Pea Reviews
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16 Mar 2013
Cremmy18's Landrace Shelling Peas 2012 was Reviewed day 12
I love these! Already, these buggers are growing up huge! I’m wondering if I should have gone with instinct again this year for planting them, instead of following the almanac lol! What on earth am I going to do if I can’t get them out soon enough lol! Gu
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29 Sep 2012
WBJohn's Pea Douce Provence was Reviewed day 210
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04 Sep 2012
Amarylis's Pea 'Hurst Greenshaft' was
Reviewed day 71
I sowed this Pea very late in the growing season here, towards the end of June. I’ve now been able to harvest the first of the pods from both Gerry’s allotment & mine. Plot 12A. Now ready to harvest.
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30 Aug 2012
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30 Aug 2012
Pea care instructions
How long does Pea take to grow?
When should I plant Pea?
Our when to plant Pea estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!
Footnotes
1 Square Foot Gardening (Mel Bartholomew, 1981, p. 316).
Popular varieties of Pea
- Green Arrow
- Little Marvel
- Alaska
- Telephone
- Wando
- Kelvedon wonder
- Lincoln
- Laxtons Shelling Pea
- Greenfeast
- Early Onward
View the complete variety list for Pea »
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