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Peas (Pisum sativum)
Edible peas are garden peas (shelling peas), sugar snap peas and snow peas. They are easy to grow annuals which are decorative in the garden. It is important to distinguish between edible peas and sweet peas, the ornamental Lathyrus odoratus, which are very poisonous and may cause paralysis if eaten.
As peas are large seeds which germinate quickly, they are a good plant for children to grow.
The ideal temperature for growing edible peas is 13șC to 18șC so they may be grown in most of Australia in cooler months. At higher temperatures they may become tough and less edible and there are fewer flowers.
As both the flowers and pods are frost tender, avoid cropping in winter in frost-prone areas.
They are planted mid-winter through to early summer in a well drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7.
Peas should be grown up a trellis or other support, and kept weed free. They may grow as high as 2m, depending on the variety. The spent plants may be dug back in to the soil as green manure. As they are legumes they fix nitrogen so they don't need much feeding. A little lime and some well composted manure prior to planting is sufficient.
Peas may be grown in full sun or partial shade. They are sown 3cm deep and 5 - 10 cm apart.
Pest and disease problems
As with other crops, plant rotation helps to reduce pest and diseases. Grow peas after potatoes or tomatoes. A leaf crop such as salad greens will benefit from planting after peas. Mildew, aphids and blight may cause problems.
Birds may be a problem to the emerging seedlings so cover them with wire netting. Birds usually lose interest when the plants are around 10cm high so remove the netting at this stage. If the plants are yellow and stunted they are probably suffering too much water or poor drainage, rather than poor nutrition.
Harvesting
Peas may be harvested immature or mature. The pods should be shiny and firm. Overripe peas lose their flavour. Picking peas every few days encourages flowering.
Shelling peas will always have a stringy pod. Some flat peas may require stringing like beans. The golden pod peas have very pretty two-tone blue flowers with gold. The pods are harvested in around 60 days. Snow peas (pictured here) and sugar snap peas are eaten pod and all and are harvested in around 40 days. When the pea plant has reached its mature height, the top 5 to 7 cm of the pea shoots may be pinched out to promote fruit set. The pinched out parts can be eaten raw or used in stir fries.
Peas may be dried for long term storage.
Information sources:
Yates Garden Guide, 42nd Edition, 2006, published by Harper Collins Publishers.
Blazey, C., The Australian Fruit and Vegetable Garden, 2006, published by The Diggers Club.
Kirton, M., 2003, Dig - Modern Australian Gardening, published by Murdoch Books.
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