Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tips on How to Grow Peas

Here is a little history of the pea, and then we will have some tips on how to grow peas. If you want a more complete guide on how to grow peas, please visit our website. As it is now spring, you should be planting your peas soon!

Peas are one of the oldest cultivated vegetables in recorded history. Being such, historians are not entirely sure where they originated. Early on, peas were primarily dried before for using in soups and stews. During the dark ages they proved to be a staple for peasants who could buy dried, field peas cheaply. That is where the little rhyme came from:

Pease Porridge hot, Pease Porridge cold
Pease porridge in the pot nine days old

As the pea spread across the world, new varieties developed like the snow pea and the standard garden pea. Peas are a cooler weather plant and do best in the spring, but can also have another harvest in the fall when the weather starts to cool down.

Very few things bring more joy and satisfaction than eating fresh-out-of-the-garden peas. They are easy to grow, add a vertical element to the garden and are high in vitamin's A, B, and C. It is a must for any home garden.


Planting and Growing:
Peas are very easy to grow. One week before planting, sprout peas indoors. Sprouting gives the peas a head start and allows you to determine which plants will be the strongest and healthiest. Spread peas so they are not touching one another on a damp paper towel, laid out on a cookie sheet. Cover them with another damp paper towel and set on the kitchen counter. Spray them with water every day to keep the paper towels moist. When sprouts and a single root appear, they are ready to sow outdoors.

Sow peas as soon as the soil can be worked, up to 8 weeks before the last frost. They can be planted close together, about 2 to 3 inches apart. They don't usually require fertilization because they have the ability to produce their own nitrogen from the bacteria in the soil. Sometimes seeds will need to be dipped in an inoculative solution before sowing to make sure that the nitrogen-fixing bacteria will be in the soil.


For a more complete guide to growing peas, visit our website.

Happy Gardening!

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