How to Grow Peas

Overview

Freshly picked garden peas are a world apart from anything you can buy, with a sweetness that begins to diminish the moment they leave the plant. Peas are a cool-season crop that thrives in temperate climates, cropping generously from early summer through to autumn. They also fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting subsequent crops.

Health Benefits

Plant-based protein and fibre: Peas are a surprisingly good source of protein and fibre, making them satisfying and nutritious in equal measure.

Vitamins A, C, and K: A generous handful of peas provides meaningful amounts of these essential vitamins, supporting immune function, vision, and bone health.

Sweeter and more nutritious fresh from the garden: Homegrown peas eaten straight from the pod are naturally sweeter because their sugars have not yet converted to starch, and they retain more Vitamin C than those that have been stored or processed.

Soil Preparation

Peas prefer fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Dig in well-rotted compost before sowing. Avoid very rich or heavily manured soil, which encourages excessive leafy growth at the expense of pods. Peas appreciate a sunny position but tolerate light shade.

Sowing & Planting

Sow seeds directly outdoors from March to June in flat-bottomed drills 5cm deep and 15cm wide, spacing seeds 5-8cm apart. Alternatively, sow in lengths of guttering indoors and slide the whole row into a prepared trench when seedlings are established. Provide support at sowing time with pea sticks, netting, or trellis.

Care & Maintenance

Water regularly once flowering begins, as this is when moisture is most critical for pod development. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Support climbing varieties with pea netting or twiggy sticks pushed into the soil alongside the row. Peas do not need additional feeding if grown in well-prepared soil.

Harvesting

Begin picking when the pods are well-filled but the peas inside are still sweet and tender, typically from June to September. Pick from the bottom of the plant upwards, as the lower pods mature first. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more pods. Mangetout and sugar snap types should be picked while the pods are flat and young.

Common Problems

Pea moth caterpillars cause maggoty peas inside the pods. Sow early or late to avoid the moth's flight period (June to August), or cover plants with fine mesh.

Powdery mildew appears in dry weather, coating leaves in white powder. Keep plants well-watered and ensure good air circulation.

Birds and mice eat seeds and young shoots. Cover newly sown rows with netting or wire mesh guards.

Companion Planting

Peas grow well alongside carrots, turnips, and radishes, fixing nitrogen that benefits neighbouring crops. Avoid planting near onions and garlic, which can inhibit pea growth.