How to Sow Peas
Although peas can be started indoors in peat pots for transplanting, they really don't make the transition well. Disturbing the young roots can diminish yields later in the season. If this is the only way to get an early start, go for it. Otherwise, sow the pea seeds directly in the soil about a month before the expected last frost in your area.
How to Grow Peas
Water pea plants deeply once per week and never allow the soil to dry out totally or production will be drastically reduced. The critical time for watering is when the plants are blossoming and producing pods. When pea pods are maturing in hot weather, water daily if needed to maintain pod quality. Because peas' feeder roots run shallow, mulch is essential to keep the soil around the roots moist and cool. When the seedlings are two inches tall, apply a mulch of clean straw, chopped leaves, or compost. As the pea plants mature, you can add more mulch to keep them happy.
Harvesting Peas
To determine when to pick shell peas, check the pods by eye and feel. If the pea pod is round, has a nice sheen, and is bright green, it's ready. If the seeds have made ridges on the pod and the pod is a dull green, it's past its prime. You can pick snap and snow snap peas at any time, but they're tastiest when the pods still have some play around the peas when you squeeze the pods. Pick snow peas before the peas start to enlarge in the pods.
Companion Plants
Grow peas with transplants of cool season vegetables such as cabbages and broccoli, direct-sown leafy vegetables such as lettuces and salad greens, and direct-sown root vegetables such as carrots, beets and radishes. Plan ahead for a well-rounded, colorful fresh salad bowl when timing your sowings. Before peas start to suffer from warming weather conditions, plan on following up with transplants of warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes, to maximize use of your garden beds.
