General
Peas thrive in cool weather and are among the earliest crops to sow outdoors. Three main groups are grown: shelling/marrowfat peas (häls ‘garden peas’ for shelled seeds), snap peas (edible thick pods, crisp when seeds are partly filled), and snow peas (flat, tender pods harvested before seeds swell). Dwarf/bush types reach 45–80 cm and often manage with short twiggy supports; tall/indeterminate types can reach 150–200+ cm and need sturdy trellises or netting. They fix nitrogen with Rhizobium bacteria; inoculation can help on new soils. Best growth occurs in cool conditions (10–20°C). Heat above ~24°C or drought reduces flowering and pod fill. Good airflow limits powdery mildew late in the season. Birds may pull seedlings; use netting or fleece until plants establish.
Light
Full sun to light partial shade (6–10 hours of direct sun).
Soil type
Moist but well-drained loam enriched with compost; avoid waterlogging. Fine tilth for direct sowing.
Water requirement
Moderate and steady. Keep evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod fill. Mulch to conserve moisture.
Nutrient requirement
Low to moderate. Too much nitrogen gives lush foliage but fewer pods. Provide compost and a light potassium-rich side-dress at flowering.
Precultivation
Peas are usually direct sown, but a short preculture helps in cold or bird-prone sites. Sow 1 seed per cell in deep modules or root-trainers 3–4 cm deep at 8–12°C. Grow cool and bright to prevent legginess. Harden off for 5–7 days. Transplant very gently once roots bind the plug—disturbed roots can check growth. Aim to set out when soil is workable and air temps are consistently above 5°C.
Planting
Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked and has warmed slightly (≥5°C). Make a shallow drill 3–5 cm deep. Space seeds 5–8 cm apart in the row; rows 40–60 cm apart (closer for dwarf types). For double rows, place two drills 15–20 cm apart with a trellis between. Provide support at sowing: pea netting, wires, or twiggy brush; 1.5–2.0 m tall for climbing types, ~60–90 cm for dwarf. Succession sow every 10–14 days until mid-June for extended harvest. In colder areas, use fleece during early establishment. Water in well and mulch lightly once seedlings are 10–15 cm tall.
Pruning
Peas need no routine pruning. You can pinch the top 1–2 cm of vigorous plants once they reach 20–30 cm to encourage branching and a manageable canopy. Remove spent vines promptly after harvest to limit disease carryover.
Maintenance
Keep soil evenly moist; 20–25 mm water per week is typical in dry spells. Mulch with straw or grass clippings to steady moisture and cool the soil. Side-dress with compost or a balanced, low-N organic fertilizer at first flowering; avoid high-nitrogen feeds. Train vines onto supports to improve airflow and picking access. Net seedlings against birds and monitor slugs and snails. Inoculate seed with pea-specific Rhizobium if peas have not been grown there before. Hoe lightly to control weeds; peas have shallow roots.
Harvest
Harvest frequently for the best quality and continued production. Snow peas: pick flat pods at full length just before seeds swell. Snap peas: harvest when pods are plump yet still crisp and glossy. Shelling/marrowfat peas: pick when seeds are round and sweet but before they turn starchy. Morning harvest keeps sugars high. Use two hands to avoid tearing vines. Cool immediately after picking.
Common issues
Pea moth (Cydia nigricana): larvae burrow into developing peas. Use insect netting/row cover from first buds until end of flowering; sow early to avoid peak flight. Aphids: encourage beneficials, wash off with water, use soft soap if needed. Powdery mildew: common late in season; choose tolerant varieties, ensure spacing and airflow, water at soil level, and sow early to finish before hot weather. Root rots (Pythium/Fusarium): avoid waterlogged soils, rotate, and ensure good drainage. Birds pulling seedlings: protect with netting/fleece until plants are 10–15 cm tall. Slugs/snails: hand-pick, traps, and habitat management.
Rotation schedule
Rotate peas and other legumes on a 4–6 year cycle; avoid planting after beans/peas. Follow peas with nitrogen-demanding crops like brassicas or leafy greens to use the residual nitrogen. Incorporate healthy pea residues after harvest; remove diseased vines. Keep at least 3–4 m separation from current-season beans/peas if space allows.
Pollination
Self-pollinating; flowers can be visited by insects but do not require cross-pollination.
Companion plants
Carrot, radish, turnip, lettuce, spinach, brassicas, corn, dill, marigold, calendula.
Incompatible plants
Onion, garlic, leek, shallot; avoid planting next to these alliums. Maintain distance from other legumes in rotation.
