In this article we’ll be talking about common peas. Common peas are those that come from a pod and you can buy frozen from your supermarket. Varieties of peas include sugar snap and mange tout, but that’s for another post. 

There are three main types of peas which take varying times to grow, and the varieties are different depending on when they need sowing and growing. 

• First Earlies 

First earlies are sown between March and early June and are ready to eat in 11-13 weeks. 

• Second Earlies

Second earlies take a little longer in the ground of 14 weeks but still need to be sown between March and June. 

• Maincrop

These peas take the longest to grow and produce taking 16 weeks but are still planted between March and June.

How to plant peas

Said to taste so much better fresher, although peas are not meant to be the easiest to grow, they are worth the small amount of effort!

When to plant peas?

Peas are quite quick to grow, and can reach maturity in as quickly as 60-70 days so they have a long growing period from planting seeds in early February all the way to 6-8 weeks before your first autumn frost. For the best peas however, you should stop sowing in June. 

Where to plant peas?

Peas love an open sunny area with good drainage, although they’ll grow in partial sunlight you’ll get better tasting peas growing them in full sun. 

How many peas should I plant?

The number of peas you should plant depends on two factors: how much room you have and also how many people you are trying to grow peas for. A 30cm x 30cm patch of land will be enough room to grow 16 pea plants which is enough peas for one person.

Should peas be soaked before they are planted?

Some peas do better with a soaking before planting, especially those that are hard and wrinkled. It allows the seed to rely less on pulling moisture from the soil in the first stage after planting and encourages germination. We recommend checking your particular pea seeds care guide to make sure you’re getting the best advice for your type of pea. 

How do you grow peas in soil?

Peas need to be sown into warm soil so if you’re planting them straight away outside warm the ground with growing tunnels or cloches. Grown them about 7.5cm apart this is the same length as half a short ruler. 

Watering

Water pea plants once a week, never allow the soil to dry out as this will hamper pea production dramatically. Watering is most critical once the plant is flourishing and pods are beginning to grow. However, don’t waterlog the soil. 

Maintenance

Keep weeds to a minimum and apply some well rotted compost around the base of the plant to provide extra nutrients. Avoid nitrogen based fertilisers as this will only encourage leafy growth.

Do peas need full sun?

Peas grow best in full sun but can be grown in partial or dappled light; they just might not be quite so tasty.

What should not be planted near peas?

There are quite a few plants that shouldn’t be planted near peas, they’re mainly from the onion family such as onion, garlic, leek, shallots, and chives. These vegetables tend to stunt the growth of peas taking nutrients peas need for themselves. Selfish! However, there are a lot of vegetables that do grow well with peas such as beans, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.

How to encourage peas to produce?

Use nets and canes to assist in growing and support your pea plants, as well as regular harvesting this will help to encourage a bumper crop of peas. 

Harvesting peas

Harvest peas in the later part of the morning when the dew has dried. Use two hands when harvesting any fruit or vegetable to ensure you can hold the plant steady and not pull at it. Harvest before they turn a dull colour or harden or else they’re over-ripe but if you have missed your peas sweet spot, allow them to dry and harden for use in winter soups. Regular harvesting encourages more peas to grow, so it might be worth setting a reminder on your phone to go out there and check fairly frequently. Eat them quickly, if you can, as its flavour is at its premium immediately after harvest.