Vegetable Garden - Tips on Growing Peas From Seeds 

Tradition used to say that you plant your pea seeds as soon as the soil can be worked, however peas actually germinate much slower in cold soil. The colder the soil the longer it will take to germinate. It will take from 9 days in 60ºF (16º)C soil temperature, to 36 days in 40ºF (4º)C soil temperature. Let the soil warm up a bit, or use a dark plastic cover to warm the soil to shorten the days the first stage seed is in the ground. Peas that are planted a bit later catch up very quickly with those planted earlier without the chance of the seed rotting because the peas seed was in the ground too long.

PROPAGATION and SOWING: 

• Sow your Pea seeds 1 to 1½" deep.
• Days to germinate are 9-14 days.
• Sow indoors: Not recommended.

CARE & GROWING:

• Plant the seeds 1-2 inches apart in double rows spaced 3-6” apart, 24” between the next double row. Pea plants will tolerate crowding so may be spaced 2” apart.
• All peas, including dwarf types, are natural climbers, will be more productive and not as susceptible to rot, if given some support or planted along a fence or trellis. Pea seeds are available in both treated and untreated; if using untreated pea seeds, avoid planting in cold, wet, poorly aerated soils, as you risk loosing the seed to rot.
• Peas prefer full sun to partial shade with a soil pH of 6.0-7.0.
• Peas require a well-drained, rich and sandy soil. Work organic matter, including rotted manure or compost into the soil for best results. An application of Garden Inoculants, either to the soil or to the pea seeds themselves before planting, can be very beneficial.
• Even soil moisture is essential especially during flowering and pod set. Use mulch to conserve moisture and keep weeds down around your peas.

Nutrient Requirements

 N= Low, P= Low, K= Low.

Rotation Considerations

 Follow with Kale.

• Good Companions: Carrot, Celery, Chicory, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, Sweet Pepper and Turnip.
• Bad Companions: Onion and late potato.