Growing Peas: Tips at a Glance
- Type Edible vegetable
- Life Span Annual
- USDA Zones 2-11
- Light Sun or some shade
- Water Well-drained soil
- When to Plant Early spring
- Design Tip Cover a fence
- Companions Radishes, lettuce
- Days to Maturity 30-50
Peas: A Field Guide
A vining plant that is happiest on a trellis or fence, Pisum sativum produces pods full of round green peas that are technically seeds but more practically your delicious dinner companions.
Pea vines create a stunning backdrop and fill a garden with light green vines and beautiful white blossoms in the spring. There are many cultivars of pea; sugar and snap peas can be eaten in the pod. Other varieties should be shelled and either cooked or dried for best flavor. To extend the harvest season, plant a new row or two of peas every other week after the soil thaws. (Dwarf or bush varieties are available for the weekend gardener, but vining types will yield more peas.)