Peas are a great winter crop, and should be included in every vegetable patch.
When to Plant:
Peas are fairly easy to grow. In Melbourne, you can typically sow them between February and August. However with our climate changing, we find that you can grow them later into the season. In warmer areas, it is suggested that you sow not as late, while cooler areas such as Tassie, that you can sow them into late winter. The general rule is that you sow peas in the winter months.
Where to Plant:
It is preferably to sow your peas in a full sun position. (can grow in partial shade) Also need to sow them somewhere they can climb. I tend to sow my near a fence so I can train them up. However you can create a number a structures such as a bamboo tee pee. I use old concrete reinforcement, and it works a treat, just as long as you provide them something to sturdy to grow up on and offers support. Sow your seeds around 15cm apart.
When to harvest:
Different variety vary on picking time. Most say 10 to 14 weeks, but this will depend on conditions. The main thing is to keep harvesting, as it encourages more peas. I would suggest that you stagger you sow times, that way you don’t have all the crop at one time. However, the great thing is that you can always freeze any excess produce.
Things to be aware of:
Peas don’t like frost, they don’t like over watering, and Birds love munching seedlings. So I suggest that you protect them during the early stages.
Don’t Plant near:
It is said not to plant Garlic and Onion family of plants.
Tip:
Don’t waste your time with pea seedling that you see sold in nurseries, you are better off buying seeds and direct sowing. Its more cost effective, but most of all, I find that you get better results if you sow directly in to the garden bed.
Once the crop has finished, dig crop back into garden bed as peas are a great green manure.
Nothing is nicer than picking a few pods off the plant when in season, standing back and ponder over the garden while munching on some fresh peas.
