Pea
Peas are one of the easiest veg to grow yourself organically - and nothing beats the taste of a juicy pea, fresh from the pod.
| Growing calendar | |
|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Mid Feb - Jun and mid Oct - mid Nov |
| Harvest | Mid May - Sep |
How to grow peas
Sow peas directly into the soil, in two lines 10cm apart, with peas in each row spaced 5cm apart. Alternatively, regularly sow peas 3cm deep in pots and transplant, spacing the transplanted plants 60-90cm apart.
Protect pea seedlings from birds. You may need to protect with a cloche in Feb/Mar and Oct/Nov. Water established plants as soon as flowering starts and mulch to conserve moisture. Support plants with wire mesh, netting or sticks.
Harvesting peas
Cut mangetout varieties when the pods are still flat, and shelling varieties (eg round peas, wrinkled and petit pois) when peas are felt through the pod. Pick regularly for more pods.
Peas are one of the easiest crops to save seed from. Visit our pea seed saving guidelines here.
| Growing notes | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Germination time | 7-19 days |
| Average time to harvest | 10-14 weeks |
| Equipment needed | Mesh, netting or sticks, and mulch (Eg compost) |
| Average plant size | 90cm tall, 30cm wide |
| Family group to grow with | Legumes: beans |
| Key nutritional content | Vitamin C, fibre, folate |
| Seed saving notes | Annual, self pollinating |