Pick the brown pods from the vines and remove the seeds. When the pea pods are completely dry, break them open to release the seeds. If pea pods are not completely dry before the first frost, pull the plants up, root first, and hang them in a cool, dry location until the pods are brown and dry. This is about four weeks after the eating stage. Pea seeds are ready for harvest when they are hard and their pods dry out and start to turn brown on the vine and shrink against the seeds. However, to maintain a variety’s diversity over time, save seeds from 5-10 plants. Recommended Population SizesĪ single pea plant can produce viable seed. When saving seeds from peas, separate varieties by 10-20 feet. This crop is a great way to make your first foray into seed saving as peas produce seed the same season as they are planted and are mostly self-pollinating, minimizing the need to be mindful of preventing cross-pollination. Dry peas will store for several years in a cool, dry place. Peas can also be left on the vine to dry. Storingīlanch and freeze peas if you would like to save your spring flavors for another day use within a year. Dried peas can be cooked like beans and used in soups, stews, and dips. Snap peas and snow peas are often eaten whole. EatingĮarly peas are make great fresh eating while later peas can be shelled and enjoyed in salads, soups, and stir fries. Dry peas are ready for harvest when the pods are dry and brittle and the seeds inside are hard. Shelling peas are ready when the pods are tender and the seeds are round and plump. Snap peas are ready for harvest when the pods are still tender, before the seeds start to swell. Peas can be harvested in the snap/green stage, the shelling stage, or the dry stage. Crop covers can help protect the plants from moths at the flower-bud stage. Pests common to pea plants include pea moths, pea thrips, and mice. Peas should be grown in an open, sheltered position on moisture-retentive, deep, free-draining soil. Peas do not tolerate drought, excessive temperatures, or waterlogged soil. Alternatively, you can set up bamboo trellises or build a system of chicken wire or twine for peas to climb. Panels of thick wire, such as cattle panels, work well for this purpose. Pea plants require a trellis to support their climbing habit. Space rows of peas at least 18 inches apart. Seeds should be planted at a depth of ½–1 inch and between 2–3 inches apart. Sow peas outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked, but do not sow outdoors when soil temperatures are below 50 degrees F as germination is erratic and poor in cold soil. Peas require little care beyond a trellis and pest protection, yet they produce prolific amounts of snappy pods throughout the spring and summer. It is easy to see why this early-season crop is a popular garden plant.
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