April 10, 2024 • 16 mins
Dive into the straightforward yet rewarding world of growing peas. This guide uncovers the practical aspects and benefits of adding peas to your garden. We'll talk about the basics of Pisum sativum, a versatile plant that offers both sweet and starchy flavors, depending on when you pick it. We're looking into different pea types, from traditional garden peas to the crunchier sugar snaps, and why they're great for cooking.
I'll walk you through the steps of growing peas, starting from preparing the soil to supporting their growth. You'll learn how to enjoy the freshest peas right from your garden.
We'll also cover how to save seeds for next year's planting, ensuring a continuous supply. The guide includes tips on selecting the right containers, avoiding overcrowding, and using trellises effectively.
'How I Grow' is produced by The Seed Collection Pty Ltd.
Find out more about us here: www.theseedcollection.com.au
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to how I Grow with the Seed
Collection, and today I'll betalking about peas, the sweetest
veggie of all.
There are few people who don'tappreciate the humble pea.
Even children, who normallyneed cauduline to eat their
(00:20):
greens, will often strategicallyignore this veggie's colour,
won over by the pea's innatesweetness.
But if you've never tastedhomegrown peas before, you've
probably not realised just howsweet and tasty this legume
really is.
The natural sugars found inpeas start turning into starches
the instant the pods are picked.
(00:41):
So, for ultimate sweetness inthe kitchen, instant the pods
are picked.
So for ultimate sweetness inthe kitchen, minutes matter.
Growing your own is the onlyway to eat reliably fresh peas,
and luckily it's not thatdifficult.
Peas have the botanical namePissum sativum and are a
herbaceous annual from thefamily Fabacea.
(01:01):
They're classed as legumes andare close relatives of both
beans and pulses.
Year.
They're classed as legumes andare close relatives of both
beans and pulses.
Their ultimate origin isunknown, although they've been
grown in Europe since prehistoryand are now firmly established
in agriculture worldwide.
Modern varieties of peanormally grow as a climber,
sending out vines up to 1.5 to1.8 meters in height, although
(01:23):
dwarf or bush varieties are alsoavailable, reaching around a
metre or less.
As they grow, the vines producespidery tendrils which curl
around the nearest support theycan find.
After a month or two, theplants produce small white
flowers which, after pollination, grow into the seed-producing
pods, with the most familiargarden peas, also known as
(01:47):
shelling peas.
The pods will grow up to 10centimetres in length, with each
pod containing 5 to 10 peas.
However, selective breedingover the centuries means that
shelling peas are no longer theonly option.
Snow peas produce flat, juicypods with tiny seeds, and the
whole pod is eaten.
Sugar snap peas are somewherein between snow peas and
(02:10):
shelling ones, producingthickish crunchy pods with small
tender peas inside.
There's also a wonderfulnutritional value to peas.
They don't often get therecognition they deserve for
their nutritional value and arerarely grouped into the trendy
superfood categories.
However, they are one of themost nutritious crops to grow in
(02:30):
your veggie patch.
They're full of vitamins A, c,b-complex and K, making them a
natural multivitamin in aconvenient and tasty package.
They're also rich in a widerange of essential minerals,
including calcium, iron, copper,manganese and zinc.
As they're high in protein butlow in fat, they make a great
(02:53):
addition to a weight controldiet, especially given their
generous levels of insolublefiber, which improves digestion
for a more balanced blood sugarlevel.
It improves digestion for amore balanced blood sugar level
and as an ingredient, the pea'sversatility is almost unrivaled.
From germination onward, manyparts of the pea plant are
edible and pack a huge amount offlavour.
(03:14):
The young tender shoots can beused as a garnish or salad
ingredient, giving a hint ofpure pea sweetness along with a
certain amount of chefy flair.
As the pea plants grow, theside shoots and growing tips can
be pinched out to help maintainthe plant's shape and size.
The delicious pinched outshoots are highly valued in
(03:36):
Japanese cuisine, where they'reknown as green gold.
And of course, with garden orshelling varieties, the peas can
be lightly boiled as anaccompanying vegetable or slowly
braised as the basis of a maindish.
While young peas are tender andsweet, the older specimens can
be mealy.
But even peas past their besthave a place in the kitchen,
(03:57):
crushed or pureed and made intorissoles, soups or dips.
But it's not only the familiarpea seeds which have a role.
Younger shelling pea pods canbe treated like snow peas or
sugar snaps, eaten raw or usedin stir-fries and other quickly
cooked dishes.
As the pods age they becomeunpalatably stringy but can
(04:19):
still lend their flavor toveggie stocks or be blended with
cream into a hearty soup.
So how do we grow peas?
For a quick fix of pea flavour,sow a few well-soaked peas, if
available sprouting peas arebest in a tray of compost and
place on a sunny windowsill,watering daily to keep the soil
moist.
(04:39):
In two to three weeks theseedling should be 8-10cm tall
and can be cut for immediate use.
This can be done all year round.
For a true crop of peas, choosea well-drained location which
isn't too exposed to wind.
While peas prefer full sun,they also thrive best in cooler
temperatures, so in hotterclimates a little midday or
(05:02):
afternoon shade can be reallybeneficial.
Before sowing, dig plenty oforganic compost into the soil to
a depth of around 30centimetres.
This will feed the long taproots, but be aware of adding
manure, which can boost foliagegrowth at the expense of pods
and peas.
Seeds can be sown direct fromspring onward, with new sowings
(05:24):
every fortnight for a longerharvest.
In areas without harsh winters,a late autumn or early winter
sowing can overwinter to providea harvest in mid-spring.
To start seedlings off undercover, grow them in root
trainers or empty cardboardtubes to prevent root damage
when transplanting and then moveto their final location when
(05:45):
the seedlings are around 10 to15 centimetres high.
When the seedlings are around 10to 15 centimetres high, the
final spacing will depend on thevariety you're growing,
although for non-dwarfing plants, aim for at least 10
centimetres apart, with 75centimetres between rows, all
peas will require some degree ofsupport.
Traditionally, twiggy brancheswere used as they provide plenty
(06:10):
of hooks and outgrowths for thepea tendrils to wrap around.
However, a thin trellis orsturdy netting is equally
suitable.
Dwarf or bush varieties can beself-supporting when grown in
groups, but placing a few shorttwigs among their numbers will
provide a supporting foundationfor them to build on.
Once the peas have germinated,water well and regularly being
(06:32):
careful not to splash thefoliage too much.
In good soils, feeding isn'tessential, although a general
purpose vegetable and herb feedcan be used occasionally once
flowering has begun.
Next is how to harvest your peas.
Depending on the variety andgrowing conditions, peas will be
ready to harvest roughly 10-16weeks after they germinated.
(06:54):
Picking young pods regularlywill encourage future growth and
lengthen the harvest, while thelonger you leave the pods on
the plant, the larger andmealier the peas will become.
Once picked, shell the peas anduse them as quickly as possible
.
If you can't use them with anhour or two, keep them very cool
to preserve their sweetness orfreeze them for future use.
(07:18):
There are also some common peapests, diseases and other
problems that you should lookout for, and although peas are
relatively resilient given goodgrowing conditions, these are
some things that can still cropup.
The seeds are incrediblyattractive to both mice and
birds, which can mean your peasbecome a meal for them even
(07:38):
before germination.
Starting seedlings under coverwill help, or fit secure netting
over seed beds for outdoorsowings.
Slugs and snails are anotherdanger.
Sowing under cover givesseedlings some protection at
their most vulnerable stage,while your favourite organic
snail protection method shouldbe used as the plants grow.
There's also pea and beanweevils, which can feed on the
(08:01):
growing plant's foliage,creating small notches on the
edge of younger leaves.
However, this is mainly acosmetic issue, rarely causing
enough damage to impact theplant's growth.
One of the more serious pests isthe pea moth caterpillar.
This pest burrows inside thepods and empties them from the
inside, leading todisappointment when you split
(08:24):
open the pod.
The best way to handle thesepests is to time your harvests
away from high summer, which iswhen the caterpillars are at
their hungriest.
Pea root can also devastateyoung seedlings and put mature
plants under extreme stress.
This is caused by a fungalinfection in the soil, and the
(08:47):
only way to treat it is to applyplenty of nitrogen-rich
fertiliser in the hope that theplant's growth will outpace the
effect of the fungus.
However, this will tend toreduce yields considerably.
Another is powdery mildew.
This can be a problem leadingto dusty white leaves, reduced
cropping and even plant death inextreme cases.
To reduce the severity, ensurethe plants have good air
(09:07):
circulation and carefully waterthe soil rather than the plant
itself.
Nearly all vegetables tastebetter homegrown than
store-bought, but the differencewith peas is so profound it's a
veggie that every gardenershould try growing at least once
.
Next, I'd like to go over someof the more common questions we
(09:29):
hear about peas.
What companion plants go withpeas?
There are many companion plantsthat will pair well with your
peas, and spinach is one of them.
It is a cold, hardy plant thatgrows in spring or autumn
alongside peas.
Growing peas and spinachtogether is a smart way to fit
more plants into your garden,since vertical growing peas
(09:53):
won't compete with spinach forspace, while spinach leaves,
shelter the soil and preventweeds.
Another is basil.
Basil is a delicious herbthat's used to make pesto, but
it's also a fantastic companionplant for natural pest control.
When planted around the base ofpea plants, basil can repel
thrips, one of the most commonpea pests, and in return, pea
(10:17):
plants provide basil with extrashade and protect the herb's
sensitive leaves from sun scald.
Then there's the three sisters.
This is one of the most famouscompanion plant pairings.
In this planting method, corn,squash and pole beans are grown
together to benefit each other,but you can swap out the pole
beans for peas and get the samebasic effect when growing corn
(10:41):
and peas together.
Peas provide nitrogen to heavyfeeding corn, while sturdy corn
stalks act as a natural trellisfor climbing peas.
Really is a win-win.
How do I save pea seeds forfuture planting?
Saving pea seeds is astraightforward process and
here's a step-by-step guide.
First, you'll need to selectyour pea pods.
(11:03):
Choose healthy, mature pea podsfrom your strongest and
healthiest plants.
Allow these pods to fullymature on the plant until they
begin to turn brown and dry out.
This indicates that the peasinside have reached full
maturity and are ready for seedsaving.
Carefully harvest the mature peapods from the plants.
(11:24):
Use scissors or pruning shearsto avoid damaging the plant.
Remove the pods before theystart to split open naturally.
Then you'll need to dry them.
Lay out the harvested pea podsin a single layer on a tray or a
screen in a well-ventilated anddry area.
Avoid direct sunlight, as itcan degrade the seeds.
Allow the pods to air dry forseveral weeks until they are
(11:48):
completely dry and brittle.
This ensures that the seedsinside are thoroughly dry and
will not rot during storage.
Once the pods are fully dry,open them up and remove the peas
inside.
You can do this by gentlybreaking open the pod with your
fingertips or using a smallknife, but be careful not to
damage the seeds inside.
(12:09):
After extracting them, separatethem from any remaining pod
debris or chaff.
You can do this by gentlyrubbing the seeds between your
fingers or by winnowing themoutdoors on a breezy day.
Use a sieve or a fine meshscreen to remove smaller debris.
You'll also need to carefullylabel and store the seeds.
(12:31):
Place the cleaned pea seeds inlabelled envelopes or small
containers.
Be sure to label them with thevariety and the date of
harvesting.
Store the seeds in a cool, dryplace, away from moisture and
sunlight.
A sealed glass jar or anairtight container works well
for long-term storage.
You should also test the seeds'viability Before planting the
(12:55):
saved seeds in the next growingseason.
It's a really good idea toperform a germination test.
This ensures the seeds areviable.
To do this, place a few seedson a damp paper towel or in a
small container with damp soiland observe if they sprout
within a few days.
If a high percentage of seedsgerminate, they are likely
(13:15):
viable and can be planted.
By following these steps, youcan successfully save pea seeds
from your harvest for futureplanting seasons, ensuring a
continuous supply of healthy anddelicious pea plants in your
garden.
How much space do peas need in apot?
The space required for growingpeas in a pot depends on the
(13:37):
variety of peas you're plantingand the size of the pot, but
here are some general guidelines.
Compact plants like dwarf orbush varieties typically require
less space compared to theclimbing varieties.
A pot with a diameter of 8 to12 inches and a depth of at
least 10 inches 25 or socentimetres should be sufficient
(14:01):
for growing dwarf or bush peavarieties.
You can plant multiple seeds inthe one pot, spacing them about
2 to 3 inches, 5 to 7.5centimetres apart.
With the climbing pea varieties.
They'll need more verticalspace for their vines to grow
and produce pods.
A large pot or a container witha diameter of at least 18
(14:23):
inches 45 centimetres and adepth of 12 inches around 30
centimetres is recommended forclimbing peas.
You'll also need to provide atrellis or support structure for
the pea vines to climb.
Plant the seeds along the baseof the trellis, spacing them
about two to three inches,around five to seven centimetres
(14:45):
apart.
Regardless of the variety, it'sessential to ensure that the pot
has adequate drainage holes toprevent waterlogging.
Peas don't tolerate waterloggedsoil very well.
Additionally, choose a pottingmix that is well draining and
rich in organic matter tosupport healthy pea growth.
If you're growing multiple peaplants in the same pot, be
(15:06):
mindful of overcrowding, as thiscan lead to competition for
nutrients and reduced aircirculation, which may increase
the risk of disease.
Thinning the seedlings as theygrow to maintain proper spacing
can help promote healthierplants and better yields.
If you have any questions orwould like to discuss this topic
or any other gardening topic,then please connect with us and
(15:29):
many other garden enthusiasts inour group on Facebook, the Seed
Collection Community.
You've been listening to how IGrow, produced by the Seed
Collection in Melbourne,australia.
It is our aim to make gardeningmore accessible to more people,
and this podcast is one of themany ways we're doing that.
If you don't already know whowe are, jump online and visit
(15:52):
wwwtheseedcollectioncomau.
You'll find a treasure trove ofgardening information, as well
as a huge range of seeds andgarden supplies and accessories.
That address, again, iswwwtheseedcollectioncomau.
Thanks for listening.
You're listening to how I Grow with the Seed
Collection, and today I'll betalking about peas, the sweetest
veggie of all.
There are few people who don'tappreciate the humble pea.
Even children, who normallyneed cauduline to eat their
(00:20):
greens, will often strategicallyignore this veggie's colour,
won over by the pea's innatesweetness.
But if you've never tastedhomegrown peas before, you've
probably not realised just howsweet and tasty this legume
really is.
The natural sugars found inpeas start turning into starches
the instant the pods are picked.
(00:41):
So, for ultimate sweetness inthe kitchen, instant the pods
are picked.
So for ultimate sweetness inthe kitchen, minutes matter.
Growing your own is the onlyway to eat reliably fresh peas,
and luckily it's not thatdifficult.
Peas have the botanical namePissum sativum and are a
herbaceous annual from thefamily Fabacea.
(01:01):
They're classed as legumes andare close relatives of both
beans and pulses.
Year.
They're classed as legumes andare close relatives of both
beans and pulses.
Their ultimate origin isunknown, although they've been
grown in Europe since prehistoryand are now firmly established
in agriculture worldwide.
Modern varieties of peanormally grow as a climber,
sending out vines up to 1.5 to1.8 meters in height, although
(01:23):
dwarf or bush varieties are alsoavailable, reaching around a
metre or less.
As they grow, the vines producespidery tendrils which curl
around the nearest support theycan find.
After a month or two, theplants produce small white
flowers which, after pollination, grow into the seed-producing
pods, with the most familiargarden peas, also known as
(01:47):
shelling peas.
The pods will grow up to 10centimetres in length, with each
pod containing 5 to 10 peas.
However, selective breedingover the centuries means that
shelling peas are no longer theonly option.
Snow peas produce flat, juicypods with tiny seeds, and the
whole pod is eaten.
Sugar snap peas are somewherein between snow peas and
(02:10):
shelling ones, producingthickish crunchy pods with small
tender peas inside.
There's also a wonderfulnutritional value to peas.
They don't often get therecognition they deserve for
their nutritional value and arerarely grouped into the trendy
superfood categories.
However, they are one of themost nutritious crops to grow in
(02:30):
your veggie patch.
They're full of vitamins A, c,b-complex and K, making them a
natural multivitamin in aconvenient and tasty package.
They're also rich in a widerange of essential minerals,
including calcium, iron, copper,manganese and zinc.
As they're high in protein butlow in fat, they make a great
(02:53):
addition to a weight controldiet, especially given their
generous levels of insolublefiber, which improves digestion
for a more balanced blood sugarlevel.
It improves digestion for amore balanced blood sugar level
and as an ingredient, the pea'sversatility is almost unrivaled.
From germination onward, manyparts of the pea plant are
edible and pack a huge amount offlavour.
(03:14):
The young tender shoots can beused as a garnish or salad
ingredient, giving a hint ofpure pea sweetness along with a
certain amount of chefy flair.
As the pea plants grow, theside shoots and growing tips can
be pinched out to help maintainthe plant's shape and size.
The delicious pinched outshoots are highly valued in
(03:36):
Japanese cuisine, where they'reknown as green gold.
And of course, with garden orshelling varieties, the peas can
be lightly boiled as anaccompanying vegetable or slowly
braised as the basis of a maindish.
While young peas are tender andsweet, the older specimens can
be mealy.
But even peas past their besthave a place in the kitchen,
(03:57):
crushed or pureed and made intorissoles, soups or dips.
But it's not only the familiarpea seeds which have a role.
Younger shelling pea pods canbe treated like snow peas or
sugar snaps, eaten raw or usedin stir-fries and other quickly
cooked dishes.
As the pods age they becomeunpalatably stringy but can
(04:19):
still lend their flavor toveggie stocks or be blended with
cream into a hearty soup.
So how do we grow peas?
For a quick fix of pea flavour,sow a few well-soaked peas, if
available sprouting peas arebest in a tray of compost and
place on a sunny windowsill,watering daily to keep the soil
moist.
(04:39):
In two to three weeks theseedling should be 8-10cm tall
and can be cut for immediate use.
This can be done all year round.
For a true crop of peas, choosea well-drained location which
isn't too exposed to wind.
While peas prefer full sun,they also thrive best in cooler
temperatures, so in hotterclimates a little midday or
(05:02):
afternoon shade can be reallybeneficial.
Before sowing, dig plenty oforganic compost into the soil to
a depth of around 30centimetres.
This will feed the long taproots, but be aware of adding
manure, which can boost foliagegrowth at the expense of pods
and peas.
Seeds can be sown direct fromspring onward, with new sowings
(05:24):
every fortnight for a longerharvest.
In areas without harsh winters,a late autumn or early winter
sowing can overwinter to providea harvest in mid-spring.
To start seedlings off undercover, grow them in root
trainers or empty cardboardtubes to prevent root damage
when transplanting and then moveto their final location when
(05:45):
the seedlings are around 10 to15 centimetres high.
When the seedlings are around 10to 15 centimetres high, the
final spacing will depend on thevariety you're growing,
although for non-dwarfing plants, aim for at least 10
centimetres apart, with 75centimetres between rows, all
peas will require some degree ofsupport.
Traditionally, twiggy brancheswere used as they provide plenty
(06:10):
of hooks and outgrowths for thepea tendrils to wrap around.
However, a thin trellis orsturdy netting is equally
suitable.
Dwarf or bush varieties can beself-supporting when grown in
groups, but placing a few shorttwigs among their numbers will
provide a supporting foundationfor them to build on.
Once the peas have germinated,water well and regularly being
(06:32):
careful not to splash thefoliage too much.
In good soils, feeding isn'tessential, although a general
purpose vegetable and herb feedcan be used occasionally once
flowering has begun.
Next is how to harvest your peas.
Depending on the variety andgrowing conditions, peas will be
ready to harvest roughly 10-16weeks after they germinated.
(06:54):
Picking young pods regularlywill encourage future growth and
lengthen the harvest, while thelonger you leave the pods on
the plant, the larger andmealier the peas will become.
Once picked, shell the peas anduse them as quickly as possible
.
If you can't use them with anhour or two, keep them very cool
to preserve their sweetness orfreeze them for future use.
(07:18):
There are also some common peapests, diseases and other
problems that you should lookout for, and although peas are
relatively resilient given goodgrowing conditions, these are
some things that can still cropup.
The seeds are incrediblyattractive to both mice and
birds, which can mean your peasbecome a meal for them even
(07:38):
before germination.
Starting seedlings under coverwill help, or fit secure netting
over seed beds for outdoorsowings.
Slugs and snails are anotherdanger.
Sowing under cover givesseedlings some protection at
their most vulnerable stage,while your favourite organic
snail protection method shouldbe used as the plants grow.
There's also pea and beanweevils, which can feed on the
(08:01):
growing plant's foliage,creating small notches on the
edge of younger leaves.
However, this is mainly acosmetic issue, rarely causing
enough damage to impact theplant's growth.
One of the more serious pests isthe pea moth caterpillar.
This pest burrows inside thepods and empties them from the
inside, leading todisappointment when you split
(08:24):
open the pod.
The best way to handle thesepests is to time your harvests
away from high summer, which iswhen the caterpillars are at
their hungriest.
Pea root can also devastateyoung seedlings and put mature
plants under extreme stress.
This is caused by a fungalinfection in the soil, and the
(08:47):
only way to treat it is to applyplenty of nitrogen-rich
fertiliser in the hope that theplant's growth will outpace the
effect of the fungus.
However, this will tend toreduce yields considerably.
Another is powdery mildew.
This can be a problem leadingto dusty white leaves, reduced
cropping and even plant death inextreme cases.
To reduce the severity, ensurethe plants have good air
(09:07):
circulation and carefully waterthe soil rather than the plant
itself.
Nearly all vegetables tastebetter homegrown than
store-bought, but the differencewith peas is so profound it's a
veggie that every gardenershould try growing at least once
.
Next, I'd like to go over someof the more common questions we
(09:29):
hear about peas.
What companion plants go withpeas?
There are many companion plantsthat will pair well with your
peas, and spinach is one of them.
It is a cold, hardy plant thatgrows in spring or autumn
alongside peas.
Growing peas and spinachtogether is a smart way to fit
more plants into your garden,since vertical growing peas
(09:53):
won't compete with spinach forspace, while spinach leaves,
shelter the soil and preventweeds.
Another is basil.
Basil is a delicious herbthat's used to make pesto, but
it's also a fantastic companionplant for natural pest control.
When planted around the base ofpea plants, basil can repel
thrips, one of the most commonpea pests, and in return, pea
(10:17):
plants provide basil with extrashade and protect the herb's
sensitive leaves from sun scald.
Then there's the three sisters.
This is one of the most famouscompanion plant pairings.
In this planting method, corn,squash and pole beans are grown
together to benefit each other,but you can swap out the pole
beans for peas and get the samebasic effect when growing corn
(10:41):
and peas together.
Peas provide nitrogen to heavyfeeding corn, while sturdy corn
stalks act as a natural trellisfor climbing peas.
Really is a win-win.
How do I save pea seeds forfuture planting?
Saving pea seeds is astraightforward process and
here's a step-by-step guide.
First, you'll need to selectyour pea pods.
(11:03):
Choose healthy, mature pea podsfrom your strongest and
healthiest plants.
Allow these pods to fullymature on the plant until they
begin to turn brown and dry out.
This indicates that the peasinside have reached full
maturity and are ready for seedsaving.
Carefully harvest the mature peapods from the plants.
(11:24):
Use scissors or pruning shearsto avoid damaging the plant.
Remove the pods before theystart to split open naturally.
Then you'll need to dry them.
Lay out the harvested pea podsin a single layer on a tray or a
screen in a well-ventilated anddry area.
Avoid direct sunlight, as itcan degrade the seeds.
Allow the pods to air dry forseveral weeks until they are
(11:48):
completely dry and brittle.
This ensures that the seedsinside are thoroughly dry and
will not rot during storage.
Once the pods are fully dry,open them up and remove the peas
inside.
You can do this by gentlybreaking open the pod with your
fingertips or using a smallknife, but be careful not to
damage the seeds inside.
(12:09):
After extracting them, separatethem from any remaining pod
debris or chaff.
You can do this by gentlyrubbing the seeds between your
fingers or by winnowing themoutdoors on a breezy day.
Use a sieve or a fine meshscreen to remove smaller debris.
You'll also need to carefullylabel and store the seeds.
(12:31):
Place the cleaned pea seeds inlabelled envelopes or small
containers.
Be sure to label them with thevariety and the date of
harvesting.
Store the seeds in a cool, dryplace, away from moisture and
sunlight.
A sealed glass jar or anairtight container works well
for long-term storage.
You should also test the seeds'viability Before planting the
(12:55):
saved seeds in the next growingseason.
It's a really good idea toperform a germination test.
This ensures the seeds areviable.
To do this, place a few seedson a damp paper towel or in a
small container with damp soiland observe if they sprout
within a few days.
If a high percentage of seedsgerminate, they are likely
(13:15):
viable and can be planted.
By following these steps, youcan successfully save pea seeds
from your harvest for futureplanting seasons, ensuring a
continuous supply of healthy anddelicious pea plants in your
garden.
How much space do peas need in apot?
The space required for growingpeas in a pot depends on the
(13:37):
variety of peas you're plantingand the size of the pot, but
here are some general guidelines.
Compact plants like dwarf orbush varieties typically require
less space compared to theclimbing varieties.
A pot with a diameter of 8 to12 inches and a depth of at
least 10 inches 25 or socentimetres should be sufficient
(14:01):
for growing dwarf or bush peavarieties.
You can plant multiple seeds inthe one pot, spacing them about
2 to 3 inches, 5 to 7.5centimetres apart.
With the climbing pea varieties.
They'll need more verticalspace for their vines to grow
and produce pods.
A large pot or a container witha diameter of at least 18
(14:23):
inches 45 centimetres and adepth of 12 inches around 30
centimetres is recommended forclimbing peas.
You'll also need to provide atrellis or support structure for
the pea vines to climb.
Plant the seeds along the baseof the trellis, spacing them
about two to three inches,around five to seven centimetres
(14:45):
apart.
Regardless of the variety, it'sessential to ensure that the pot
has adequate drainage holes toprevent waterlogging.
Peas don't tolerate waterloggedsoil very well.
Additionally, choose a pottingmix that is well draining and
rich in organic matter tosupport healthy pea growth.
If you're growing multiple peaplants in the same pot, be
(15:06):
mindful of overcrowding, as thiscan lead to competition for
nutrients and reduced aircirculation, which may increase
the risk of disease.
Thinning the seedlings as theygrow to maintain proper spacing
can help promote healthierplants and better yields.
If you have any questions orwould like to discuss this topic
or any other gardening topic,then please connect with us and
(15:29):
many other garden enthusiasts inour group on Facebook, the Seed
Collection Community.
You've been listening to how IGrow, produced by the Seed
Collection in Melbourne,australia.
It is our aim to make gardeningmore accessible to more people,
and this podcast is one of themany ways we're doing that.
If you don't already know whowe are, jump online and visit
(15:52):
wwwtheseedcollectioncomau.
You'll find a treasure trove ofgardening information, as well
as a huge range of seeds andgarden supplies and accessories.
That address, again, iswwwtheseedcollectioncomau.
Thanks for listening.
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