76 In Edibles/ Gardening/ Popular

Tips for Growing Peas in Your Garden

When you look out your window and you notice your daffodils beginning to bloom, it's time to plant your peas! After a long winter, peas are one of my favorite spring crops to grow. There are many types of peas you can harvest from your garden. Snap peas, snow peas and garden peas all have slightly different flavors and different methods of prep. If you are planning on growing peas, a good time to get them started is sometime in March a little before your average last frost date has passed. They can be started earlier in a hoop house or covered garden. You can also start the seeds indoors, and once they sprout, transfer them outside. Last winter, I planted them under a hoop house and was able to enjoy an early crop! Peas are very easy to grow and perfect for someone who is just starting out with growing edibles. If you follow these tips below, you will soon be enjoying a plethora of peas!

When you look out your window and you notice your daffodils beginning to bloom, it's time to plant your peas! After a long winter, they are one of my favorite spring crops to grow. There are more than one type of pea you can harvest from your garden. Snap peas, snow peas and shell peas all have slightly different flavors and different methods of prep. If you are planning on growing this crop, a good time to get them started is sometime in April when your average last frost date has passed. They can be started earlier in a hoop house or covered garden. You can also start the seeds indoors, and once they sprout, transfer them outside. Last winter, I planted them under a hoop house and was able to enjoy an early crop!

Choosing Your Peas

Snap Peas - Snap peas or sugar snap peas have a sweet flavor and a crunchy texture. You can feel free to eat the whole pod raw. You can also cook these peas, and trust me when I say they are delicious! These are probably my favorite variety to munch on while I'm busy doing daily garden chores. Most of them don't make it into the house. Some snap peas have strings, and I tend to choose the "stringless" variety. The strings can be tough to chew and sometimes have to be removed before eaten. 

Favorite Varieties: Sugar Snap pea, Sugar Ann Snap pea, Spring Bush Tendril pea 

Snow Peas - Snow peas or Chinese peas are flat and crisp with tiny peas inside. Again, the whole pod can be eaten, but the strings are usually removed first. They have a delicious mild flavor and can be enjoyed raw or cooked. They are the perfect addition to any stir-fry. Even though I am tempted to enjoy them raw from time to time, I usually save them to be whipped up in a tasty summer dish. Make sure to pick these peas before they get plump. I learned this the hard way!

Favorite Varieties: De Grace snow pea, Green Beauty pea, Mammoth Melting Sugar snow pea

Garden Peas - The very first peas I planted were garden peas! Garden peas or English peas have firm and rounded pods. The tasty round peas inside need to be removed from the pods or shelled before eaten. The pods can be discarded and composted. The peas found inside are sweet and can be eaten raw or cooked. You want to make sure you don't allow your peas to grow to big. The flavor tends to change, and they become more starchy. You also want to make sure you cook these fresh or freeze them after picking to get the best flavor. 

Favorite Varieties: Little Marvel garden pea, Alaska garden pea, Wando garden pea

- Rookie Mistake - When I first started gardening, I bought a bunch of seed packets containing different varieties of peas. I planted them all together on the same trellis, thinking why not? Well, they all grew and I had no idea what was what. I didn't know which ones were garden peas and which ones were snow peas. If you are planning to grow different varieties to enjoy, plant them separately and label them! This makes life so much easier.

snow peas or Chinese peas are flat and crisp with tiny peas inside. Again, the whole pod can be eaten, but the strings are usually removed first. They have a delicious mild flavor and can be enjoyed raw or cooked. They are the perfect addition to any stir-fry. Even though I am tempted to enjoy them raw from time to time, I usually save them to be whipped up in a tasty summer dish. Make sure to pick these peas before they start to swell. I learned this the hard way!

Planting Your Peas

Once you have chosen your varieties, now it's time to get planting! The most important thing to do is read up on the variety you have picked. You can start your seeds indoors or outdoors. If you are planting them outdoors, make sure your soil temperature is at least 40 degrees F. They can handle some frost and snow, but the growth rate is not fast. The cooler your soil temperature, the slower your plants will grow. I learned this when starting them under my winter hoop house. My plants grew, but instead of taking weeks to sprout, they took months. This can be done, but you just need to have patience! If you want to find out the best time to start your seeds, you can use this helpful starting date calculator

Starting Seeds Indoors - Start your seeds 3 to 4 weeks before you plan on planting them outdoors. They grow quickly, so you don't want to start them too early. Make sure you start your seeds in rich, seed starting soil mix. Put your new seeds under a grow light, and make sure this is on for 10 to 12 hours a day. Cover with 1 inch of fine soil and make sure to keep moist. Your seeds should emerge within 7 to 14 days.

Starting Seeds Outdoors - If you are planting in your raised garden bed, your seeds can be planted before your last frost date. I like to wait 8 weeks before my last frost date. I use protective measures like frost blankets, and I cover them at night. If you are starting your seeds in the ground, wait until 6 weeks before your last frost date. Plant your seeds in average soil in an area that receives full sun. I like to grow in rows about 6 inches apart. I try to give my seeds at least 2 inches of space. If you don't, you may have to do some thinning as your plants grow. 

Tip - If you want to enjoy multiple harvests, succession planting is the way to go with this crop. I like to give this crop a 10 day interval in between planting times. No matter how much you harvest, your pea plants will eventually lose steam and not produce as much. This method works best for me. I encourage you to experiment a bit and find what works best in your climate and growing zone.  

Once you have chosen your varieties, now it's time to get planting! The most important thing to do is read up on the variety you have picked. You can start your seeds indoors or outdoors. If you are planting them outdoors, make sure your soil temperature is at least 40 degrees F. They can handle some frost and snow, but the growth rate is not fast. The cooler your soil temperature the slower your plants will grow. I learned this when starting them under my winter hoop house. My plants grew, but instead of taking weeks to sprout, they took months. This can be done, you just need to have patience!

Product I Recommend : Burpee Bean & Pea Booster

Tip - If you want to enjoy multiple harvests, succession planting is the way to go with this crop. I like to give this crop a 10 day interval in between planting times. No matter how much you harvest, your pea plants will eventually loose steam and not produce as much. This method works best for me. I encourage you to experiment a bit and find what works best in your climate and growing zone.

Reach For The Sky

The first time I grew peas, I made the mistake of not trellising them early enough. I was growing a dwarf variety, and completely underestimated how messy they can get at any size. Even if you aren't getting a tall variety, they can become a tangled mess very quickly. They have tiny tendrils that grab onto whatever is close, even if it's another tendril. If you want to go in and clean them up once they have reached a certain size, you can really damage your plants. So the cautionary tale here is, even if you pick a smaller variety, give them some type of support. This will keep your plants happy and healthy. Most importantly, this will keep you sane!

You can use a wooden or metal trellis. Instead of going for something tall and skinny, I would go for something wider that still has some height depending on how many plants you have. I have tried very small trellises, and it becomes a mess once your plants outgrow it. Make sure to check on the package before you plant, that way you know what size trellis you are looking for.

Peas growing up my wooden trellis is 2015

Trellis options - You can use a wooden or metal trellis. Instead of going for something tall and skinny, I would go for something wider that still has some height depending on how many plants you have. I have tried very small trellises, and it becomes a mess once your plants outgrow it. Make sure to check on the package before you plant, that way you know what size trellis you are looking for.  

Another great option is creating an inexpensive teepee using bamboo stakes and wire or twine. I personally love this option. This really holds up in bad weather and heavy winds. I grow all my beans this way. I have switched some of my peas to this method over time. 

The third option is using wire fencing. You can purchase this and pretty much make a support system to whatever custom size you require. The wire is sturdy, and the taller the plants really appreciate this. Again, it's easy and inexpensive! Whatever supplies you can get your hands on, even strings and stakes, trust me when I say something is better than nothing!

Be Prepared: Before you start building your own trellis, it's best to have a good pair of wire cutters on hand. I recommend Fiskars Garden Multi-Snip. This razor-sharp blade makes working with heavy duty materials so much easier. 

Dwarf/Bush Varieties - Anywhere from 2 to 4 feet tall

Tall Climbing Vines - Anywhere from 6 to 9 feet tall

Most peas are ready to be harvested in about 3 months. Make sure you check your seed packets, because every variety is different. You can start to tell they are ready to pick when the coat of the pod becomes waxy. The peas begin to swell, and the color is bright green. It's better to pick them smaller, these tend to be sweeter. Try not to wait to long and let them get too big. I've learned that they mature from the bottom up, so this is an easy way to check on your plant. These healthy treats taste best fresh. The longer you want, the starchier they taste. If you can't eat them right away, make sure to store them in the refrigerator or freezer right after picking.

Harvesting Your Peas

Most peas are ready to be harvested in about 3 months. Make sure you check your seed packets, because every variety is different. You can start to tell they are ready to pick when the coat of the pod becomes waxy. The peas begin to swell, and the color is bright green. It's better to pick them smaller. These tend to be sweeter. Try not to wait too long and let them get too big. I've learned that they mature from the bottom up, so this is an easy way to check on your plant.These healthy treats taste best fresh. The longer you want, the starchier they taste. If you can't eat them right away, make sure to store them in the refrigerator or freezer right after picking. Don't be afraid to shell your peas. I've actually found this to be a rather relaxing task!

These healthy treats taste best fresh. The longer you want, the starchier they taste. If you can't eat them right away, make sure to store them in the refrigerator or freezer right after picking. Don't be afraid to shell your peas. I've actually found this to be a rather relaxing task! There are so many different ways to cook and snack on these flavorful plants. They can be added to just about any dish or eaten alone as a side. Last year, I shared a fun recipe on the blog. I like to enjoy them in salads and of course, a stir-fry.

There are so many different ways to cook and snack on these flavorful plants. They can be added to just about any dish or eaten alone as a side. Last year, I shared a fun recipe on the blog. I like to enjoy them in salads and of course, a stir-fry.

You can check out my recipe here - Easy Sumer Garden Stir-fryMy favorite way to give yesterday's meal a whole new delicious identity is by making a stir-fry.  It's so nice after a long day of harvesting out in the heat to whip up something quick and tasty!

My biggest advice is to really enjoy and try every part of your pea plant. Take advantage of how beautiful the blooms and flowers are in the garden. Taste the peas fresh and cooked, and don't forget to add the shoots to your salads. They are just as delicious as the peas themselves! Check on them daily, and don't be afraid to pick! The more often you pick, the more pods you will get. I didn't know this fact when I first started. I'm happy I learned that over time. Don't forget that these plants benefit your garden soil, adding nitrogen and making it nice and rich. It's so much fun trying different varieties. Every year, try something different if you like.Are you thinking of growing peas this spring? Do you have a favorite kind of pea you like to grow? Tell me all about it in the comment section below. The next edition of Tuesdays In The Garden will be April 11, and we will be sharing with you our favorite garden tools. See you then!

Are you thinking of growing peas this spring? Do you have a favorite kind of pea you like to grow? Tell me all about it in the comment section below. The next edition of Tuesdays In The Garden will be April 11, and we will be sharing with you our favorite garden tools. See you then!

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Tuesdays In The Garden | Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, we will be sharing a themed Tuesday In The Garden post! We will be covering seasonal crops, herb gardening, growing flowers, DIY projects, garden gifts, harvesting tips, preserving, garden to table recipes and so much more. You can check out each of our posts to help you get inspired and give you some creative new ideas. Take a look at these great posts below!

Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, we will be sharing a themed Tuesday In The Garden post! We will be covering seasonal crops, herb gardening, growing flowers, DIY projects, garden gifts, harvesting tips, preserving, garden to table recipes and so much more. You can check out each of our posts to help you get inspired and give you some creative new ideas. Take a look at these great posts below!

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When you look out your window and you notice your daffodils beginning to bloom, it's time to plant your peas! After a long winter, they are one of my favorite spring crops to grow. There are more than one type of pea you can harvest from your garden. Snap peas, snow peas and garden peas all have slightly different flavors and different methods of prep. If you are planning on growing this crop, a good time to get them started is sometime in March a little before your average last frost date has passed. They can be started earlier in a hoop house or covered garden. You can also start the seeds indoors, and once they sprout, transfer them outside. Last winter, I planted them under a hoop house and was able to enjoy an early crop! Peas are very easy to grow and perfect for someone who is just starting out with growing edibles. If you follow these tips below, you will soon be enjoying a plethora of peas!
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76 Comments

  • Reply
    Brandy
    March 29, 2017 at 9:19 am

    This is really a comprehensive guide! We have clay soil and I’ve yet to be able to get anything to really grow, despite mixing in outside soil. I’d love to have snap peas at my disposal!

  • Reply
    Nina
    March 29, 2017 at 5:42 am

    Sugar snap peas are so good! If I had the space to grow a few things, I would love to grow some!

  • Reply
    robin Rue
    March 29, 2017 at 5:41 am

    My husband JUST mentioned to me last night that he wanted to start a garden. Peas are defintiely on our list.

  • Reply
    Mimi Rose
    March 29, 2017 at 3:31 am

    I’m currently traveling full-time so I don’t have access to my own place to grow peas, but a small indoor or outdoor garden is high on my list for when I do settle down. We used to have peas like this in my backyard growing up, I would love to try and grow them myself.

  • Reply
    riitta k
    March 29, 2017 at 2:46 am

    Wonderful pea photos & summer views. I can taste and smell the peas from here! Have a bright sunny day Angie – thank you for linking!

    https://floral-passions.blogspot.fi/2017/03/floral-bliss-14.html

  • Reply
    Berniedette of PetiteAndToned.com
    March 29, 2017 at 2:27 am

    OMG, those peas look so crisp and amazing! I wish I had your green thumb! I can’t even keep a bouquet of flowers alive for a week! eeks!

    xoxo,

    Berniedette | PetiteAndToned.com

  • Reply
    Lucy M. Clark
    March 29, 2017 at 12:41 am

    After reading your blog, I am going straight to my garden and try all three varieties of peas mentioned by you. I also love peas but I have never grown it my garden. But you made it look so easy, now I will definitely try this.

  • Reply
    Jami
    March 28, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    This post is so chock full of good info, Angie! Thank you – I totally agree with the trellising and that’s the only thing that I always wish I spent more time on in spring. 🙂

  • Reply
    Jennifer Dunham
    March 28, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    These are some really helpful tips! Peas are one vegetable that I have never tried growing, but I want to try to add them to my garden this year. 🙂

  • Reply
    Ashton
    March 28, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    I am so excited to plant my vegetable garden with the kids this year and try a couple of varieties of peas. That was a very informational and inspiring post. Thank you!

  • Reply
    Theresa
    March 28, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    I love your tip about succession planting! I am going to try that. The chart you linked to was also very helpful!

  • Reply
    Shelly
    March 28, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    These are great tips, Angie. We love to grow sugar snap peas at our house. We can usually get them in around President’s day but this year has been too wet and I’ll be getting them in late.

    One tip that I’ve found useful is to sprout the peas inside before planting them outside if you live in a wet area like we do. I put the peas inside a wet paper towel and place them in a zippered baggie. If you leave them on top of the refrigerator for a few days, they will sprout and then plant them in the garden. When they are already sprouted they keep growing. If I don’t sprout them they can get too wet, rot, and the seeds are wasted.

  • Reply
    Diane Williams
    March 28, 2017 at 11:30 am

    One of our favorite spring garden strolls is to go past the peas and check for ready pods. Nothing better than fresh peas. I love them all but I do enjoy the snow pease on the vine best. I hardly ever get enough for the kitchen. Looking at your post I want to get out there and pick! Grow peas grow!

  • Reply
    Michelle Marine
    March 28, 2017 at 10:03 am

    I can’t wait for fresh peas. I love growing them in my garden. And I’ve made that same rookie mistake – often and with all garden produce. LOL!!! 😉

  • Reply
    Patti
    March 28, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Hi Angie,

    Okay you are making me want to get out and grow some peas. I often think about growing sweet peas for their beauty and fragrance. I can see from your photos that edible peas have a similar pretty flower in white. My mom used to grow sugar snap peas every year. I think I’d like to try snow peas too.
    Have a great spring week!
    Patti

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