Green peas can be absolutely delicious, both fresh and cooked, and they are especially tasty when you grow them in your garden.
They are not that hard to grow, and that's why so many gardeners and farmers choose to plant them.
Here are some general rules on how to grow healthy and delicious green peas.
Prepare the Soil
Pick a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Peas like soil that's a bit sandy and rich in organic matter.
You can add compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil.
Planting Peas
Plant pea seeds directly into the ground. Make small furrows about 1 inch deep and space the seeds about 2 inches apart.
Cover them with soil and water gently.
Provide Support
Peas like to climb. Set up a trellis or use stakes and string to give them support.
This helps keep the plants off the ground and makes harvesting easier.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
Water the peas at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to diseases.
Fertilize Moderately
Peas don't need a lot of fertilizer. Too much nitrogen can result in lots of leaves but fewer peas.
A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer applied at planting and when they start flowering is usually sufficient.
Harvest at the Right Time
Check your peas regularly once they start flowering. Harvest when the pods are plump but still bright green.
Pick them regularly to encourage more pea production.
Enjoy Fresh or Freeze
Freshly picked peas are delicious! Eat them right away or freeze them for later.
To freeze, blanch the peas in boiling water for a couple of minutes, then cool quickly in ice water before placing in the freezer.
Rotate Crops
To avoid diseases and pests, don't plant peas in the same spot every year. Rotate them with other vegetables in your garden.
Watch for Pests
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and caterpillars.
If you spot them, try using natural remedies like neem oil or soapy water to keep them at bay.
