A Guide to Growing Peas and Sweet Peas for New Gardeners
Are You Ready to Grow Tasty Peas and Beautiful Sweet Peas in Your Garden?
Whether you're looking to grow your own peas for fresh eating and to add flavor to your meals or to create a fragrant, colorful display of flowers, both peas and sweet peas are fun and relatively easy choices for new gardeners. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get started growing peas and sweet peas, from when to sow the seeds to when to harvest.
As with most things in gardening, all you need to do is prep yourself with a bit of knowledge and then get out into the garden and give it a try! Observe what worked well and what didn’t work so well. Make some course corrections in the same season (if early enough in the process) or next season.
Since this is a guide for new gardeners, the information is focused on the most important aspects for successfully growing peas and sweet peas. Champion sweet pea growers or grandma and grandpa will have their own set of tricks up their sleeves discovered through the seasons. If you follow the straightforward steps below, it’s quite possible that you’ll give them a run for their money. 😁
Peas and Sweet Peas - What’s the Difference?
Before we dive into the specifics of growing peas and sweet peas, let’s define what they are! If you aren’t sure of the difference, read on. If you do know the difference, skip on down to the next section.
Peas (Pisum sativum): These are the peas we commonly grow in our gardens to eat and are part of the legume family (peas, peanuts, lentils, beans, etc.). These plants produce edible seeds that we harvest for fresh eating, freezing, or cooking. Peas are known for their sweet flavor and can be grown as snap peas, snow peas, or garden peas.
Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus): While sweet peas are also part of the pea family, they are grown for their lovely flowers and scent rather than for edible peas. Sweet peas come in a wide variety of colors and have a sweet, fragrant aroma. They’re perfect for adding beauty and fragrance to your garden, not for munching on.
Choosing the Right Pea Varieties for Your Garden
When selecting pea varieties for your garden, it’s important to consider the climate, growing season, and how you intend to use the peas. Here are a few popular pea and sweet pea varieties:
Pea Varieties:
Sugar Snap Peas: These peas have crunchy, edible pods and are a favorite for snacking. They grow quickly and produce large yields, making them great for beginners.
Snow Peas: These flat peas have tender, edible pods and are often used in stir-fries and Asian cuisine. Snow peas mature early, and the plants are compact, which makes them ideal for small gardens.
Garden Peas (Shelling Peas): These peas are grown specifically for their seeds, which are harvested and shelled for eating. They have a sweet flavor and are perfect for freezing. Green Arrow.
Dwarf Varieties: For smaller spaces or container gardening, dwarf pea varieties like Little Marvel or Tom Thumb are excellent choices. They don’t require trellising and grow to a more compact size.
Sweet Pea Varieties:
Old Spice Series: This classic variety of sweet pea features fragrant flowers in shades of pink, white, and red. It’s a favorite for gardeners who love both beauty and fragrance.
Windsor: Known for its stunning deep red blooms, this variety has a strong fragrance and is a perfect addition to a cut flower garden.
The Cuthbertson Mix: This mix includes a range of colors from soft pastels to rich jewel tones, creating a vibrant display in your garden.
When to Sow Pea Seeds (IMPORTANT)
Knowing the right time to sow your pea seeds is crucial for a successful harvest. Peas are a cool-season crop, and they thrive in temperatures between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 21°C). Timing your sowing correctly will ensure your peas grow strong and healthy.
Spring Planting (For Most Regions)
Peas: The best time to sow peas outdoors is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. This typically means planting peas around 4–6 weeks before your last expected frost date. In most regions, you can start sowing peas in March or April.
Sweet Peas: Sweet peas are also quite hardy, sow 4–6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Soil temperature around 55-65°F is said to be ideal…but few of us are likely to take a soil temperature reading and, instead, usually follow the 4-6 weeks before last expected frost rule of thumb.
Fall Planting (In Mild Climates)
In milder climates, such as USDA Hardiness Zones 8–9, you can also sow peas in late summer or early fall for a fall harvest. For sweet peas, the timing will depend on your local climate, but fall planting is an option in warmer regions with mild winters.
How to Plant Peas and Sweet Peas
Now that you know when to plant your pea seeds, let’s go over how to do it for the best results.
Planting Peas
Prepare the Soil: Peas prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Loamy soil with a slightly alkaline pH (around 6.0 to 7.5) is ideal. Amend the soil with compost to enrich it with nutrients.
Planting Depth: Sow your pea seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Space the seeds about 1-2 inches apart for garden peas, and 2–3 inches apart for snap or snow peas. If you’re planting in rows, leave about 12–18 inches of space between rows.
Trellising: Most pea varieties, especially climbing types, will benefit from a trellis or support structure. Use stakes, a pea fence, or a trellis to help the plants grow vertically, saving space and keeping the peas clean and off the ground.
Planting Sweet Peas
Soil Preparation: Sweet peas like well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility.
Planting Depth: For sweet peas, sow the seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing them around 4–6 inches apart if you're planting directly in the ground. For container gardening, use a large pot with drainage holes and plant several seeds in a cluster.
Support for Sweet Peas: Just like with edible peas, sweet peas are climbing plants and need a support structure. A trellis or netting is essential for growing sweet peas vertically.
Caring for Your Pea and Sweet Pea Plants
Caring for your pea plants is simple but essential for a successful harvest. Here are some tips to ensure your plants thrive.
Watering: Peas need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and pod development. Water regularly and deeply, but avoid waterlogging the soil, as this can lead to root rot. Use a soaker hose or water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry.
Fertilizing: Peas are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they have the ability to produce their own nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria. This means they don’t need heavy feeding. However, applying a light layer of compost at planting time can give them an initial nutrient boost.
Mulching: Use mulch to keep the soil cool, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Use an organic mulch like straw, compost, or grass clippings
Pest Control: Peas can be susceptible to aphids, slugs, and pea weevils. Regularly inspect your plants for pests and, if you have a serious issue, you could consider treating with an organic insecticidal soap or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep aphids in check.
When to Harvest Peas and Sweet Peas
Peas
Snap Peas and Snow Peas: These peas are harvested when the pods are full but still tender. Pick them when the pods are plump but before the peas inside start to mature. Harvest every few days to encourage more production.
Garden Peas: These peas are ready for harvest when the pods are full and the peas inside are well-formed but still tender. For the sweetest flavor, harvest garden peas when the pods are plump but not yet overripe.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are primarily grown for their flowers, so they are typically harvested when the flowers are fully open but still fresh. To keep sweet peas blooming, cut the flowers regularly (important), removing the spent blooms to encourage new growth.
Enjoy Your Fresh Peas and Beautiful, Fragrant Blooms!
Growing peas and sweet peas is a rewarding experience for new gardeners and ‘seasoned’ gardeners alike. With the right timing, care, and attention, you’ll be able to enjoy peas for fresh eating and in your meals as well as beautiful, fragrant flowers in your garden. Remember to choose the right variety for your climate (if you’re not sure which, try a few different kinds — that’s part of the fun of gardening😁), sow your seeds at the right time, and provide your plants with adequate care while they grow.
Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest. Happy gardening!
