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How To Grow Organic Peas

Last updated: August 7, 2022 by Jenny Brown

How To Grow Organic Peas?

Grow Organic Peas

WHEN TO PLANT

  • In this article we’re going to share what we’ve learned about growing organic sugar peas and snap peas
  • You can start planting and growing peas as soon as the ground is workable and when soil temperature reaches a consistent 40°F
  • Pea plants can survive frost and temperatures in the lower 20’s except when emerging from soil and during bloom

WHERE TO PLANT

  • In the spring, plant peas in full sun protected from strong winds
  • Later plantings will benefit from shade against afternoon sun
  • Planting next to taller plants, such as corn, can provide protection during the heat of the day
  • It is essential that pea roots be kept from over-heating
  • Applying 2” of mulch around the base of your pea plants will help keep the roots cool; as the weather begins to warm, mulch keeps your peas cooler and prolongs the harvest days
  • Bush varieties can be grown in containers; you’ll need to pay close attention to soil moisture levels and water the peas more frequently

PREPARING THE SOIL

  • Cool weather is not a concern for growing peas. Soil conditions, however, are
  • Preparing garden soil for peas should start in the fall by spading or tilling under plenty of leaves and other organic composted materials
  • When the wet fall and winter weather arrives, these organic materials will further decay
  • In spring you’ll have rich, loose soil that’ll aid your peas in developing strong roots and provide good drainage
  • Elevate rows (raised beds) for draining excess moisture and to retain heat, especially in cool early spring
  • Peas are in the legume family and therefore supply their own nitrogen
  • Too much nitrogen will produce beautiful, dense foliage but very few peas
  • The addition of manure is usually unnecessary

SEEDS AND GERMINATION

  • Peas germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40°F (approx. 36 days)
  • With soil temperatures at 60°F, germination will accelerate to 7-10 days
  • Presoak seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coating
  • Drain water and spray with a seaweed emulsion
  • Finally coat seeds with an inoculant powder (contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria to promote stronger root systems) to promote nitrogen-fixing
  • Your seeds should remain usable for up to 3 years from the date you purchase them if stored in a cool, dry location

GETTING STARTED INDOORS (and transplanting)

  • Not Recommended: Pea roots are delicate and usually won’t survive transplanting
  • Peas are also cold-hardy, so starting seedlings indoors isn’t necessary

SOWING AND GROWING (Planting seeds directly into the garden)

  • Peas are prone to rot and susceptible to fungus attack
  • When planting untreated seeds (seeds not sprayed with fungicide – treated seeds have a pink coating), plant more seeds to cover any losses
  • Space your untreated seeds 1.5” apart (2” for treated seeds)
  • Plant early crops 2” deep in light soil, 1” in heavy soil
  • Increase seed depth 1-2 inches deeper as the weather warms up to keep seeds cooler to prolong your season
  • If you’re planting peas where legumes haven’t been planted before, treat pea seeds with an inoculant powder
  • After soaking, drain seeds and sprinkle a light coating of powder on top. Swirl around in bowl to lightly coat seeds. Plant immediately
  • Jenny’s Tip: Using a liquid organic leaf spray fertilizer once every two weeks is useful maintaining plant health and fruit flavor. We like Organic Garden Miracle™ which we’ve found helps our pea plants produce more and sweeter peas than anything else we’ve tried. The way it works is – it naturally stimulates any garden plant to convert all nutrient sources to plant sugar which is the basis of the size of the plant, quantity of blooms/fruit, and flavor/sugar content of your peas

WATERING

  • Peas should never be in waterlogged soil
  • Too much water reduce yields and create an environment for root rot
  • Consistent moisture level is critical when blooms are forming

COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION

  • Beneficial companions; interplant peas with spinach, lettuce, or radishes
  • Bad companions: The onion/garlic family
  • Rotation consideration: Follow peas with corn because of the nitrogen-fixing qualities of peas when tilled in after harvest

WHEN TO HARVEST

  • Pods are usually ready to pick three weeks after blossoming
  • Snow peas are harvested when the pods are flat and the peas are barely noticeable
  • Snap peas are more versatile; they can be harvested when the pod is young and flat or later once the peas are big and plump in the pod
  • Cut off pods with scissors rather than pull them. Pulling the pods can uproot the plant or shock the plant which stops production
  • Harvesting your pea crop daily stimulates pea plants to produce even more peas

STORAGE

  • For storage, freeze your peas within a few hours of harvest to preserve freshness
  • If peas are kept in the refrigerator more than one day, the sugar in your peas will turn to starch

COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS

  • Most problems with peas can be avoided by correct watering and keeping soil from water saturation
  • Powdery mildew can be an issue when the weather warms. Your plants will appear flocked; this white fungal coat will drain all nutrients out of the leaves
  • As a preventive, apply sulfur dust to the foliage early in the season
  • Aphids can cause mosaic virus in your peas which causes the plant to yellow and become stunted. Insecticidal soap is effective for this
  • Use insecticidal soap also for thrips, a tiny dark colored insect found on the underside of a leaf that distorts and eventually kills the leaf
  • The Pea Weevil, a tiny brown beetle with white spots will bore an opening in the blossom and lay eggs in the pods; eventually they will damage the pea. Crop rotation will help discourage this pest
  • If pests get out of control, use Pyrethrins, an organic substance derived from Chrysanthemums that is poisonous to pests
Organic Insect Repellent Recipes
How To Grow Organic Cucumbers
How to use Peat Moss?
Improve Drainage in potted
How to Make Compost
How To Grow Organic Winter Squash
How To Grow Organic Sage
How To Grow Organic Spinach
How To Grow Organic Potatoes
How To Grow Organic Onions
How To Grow Organic Garlic
How To Grow Organic Kale
How To Grow Organic Carrots
How to Grow Organic Celery
How To Grow Organic Beets
How To Grow Organic Asparagus
How To Grow Organic Lettuce
How To Grow Organic Peppers
How To Grow Organic Summer Squash
How To Grow Organic Green Beans
How To Grow Organic Eggplant
How To Grow Organic Cilantro-Coriander
How To Grow Organic Parsley
How To Grow Organic Basil
How To Grow Organic Broccoli
How To Grow Organic Watermelons
How To Grow Organic Cabbage
How To Grow Organic Radishes
How To Grow Organic Raspberries
How To Grow Organic Brussels Sprouts
How To Grow Organic Irises
How To Grow Organic Pumpkins
How To Grow Organic Muskmelons Cantaloupes
How To Grow Organic Sweet Potatoes and Yams
How To Grow Organic Corn
How To Grow Organic Zucchini
How To Grow Organic Rhubarb
How To Grow Organic Tomatoes
How To Grow Organic Blueberries
How To Grow Organic Strawberries

Table of Contents

  • How To Grow Organic Peas?
    • WHEN TO PLANT
    • WHERE TO PLANT
    • PREPARING THE SOIL
    • SEEDS AND GERMINATION
    • GETTING STARTED INDOORS (and transplanting)
    • SOWING AND GROWING (Planting seeds directly into the garden)
    • WATERING
    • COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION
    • WHEN TO HARVEST
    • STORAGE
    • COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS

Filed Under: Fruit Vegetable

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