Peas, Pisum sativum, is an annual plant, a green, pod-shaped vegetable, widely grown as a cool-season vegetable crop. In fact, when temperatures exceed 20 Celsius degrees (70 F), most varieties of peas will stop producing pods. The average pea weighs between 0.1 and 0.36 grams, and they can be used fresh, frozen, canned or even dry. Peas store nitrogen in little nodules along their roots, so when the plants finish cropping just dig the roots directly into the soil, where they will slowly decompose and release nitrogen for other plants to use.
The seeds may be planted into the garden right after the last frost passes, sown under cloches or without protection as soon as the soil temperature reaches 10 Celsius degrees (50 F). The plants grow best at temperatures of 13-18 Celsius degrees (55 F-65 F), so planting can take place from winter to early summer, depending on location, but they will not thrive in the summer heat. Sow the seeds singly at 5 cm intervals and water well if the conditions are at all dry. The seedlings should appear in about 15 days. Peas have both low-growing and vining cultivars. The easiest method of supporting vining cultivars is to place twigs near the plants or to erect canes in a row, tying in the plants as they grow or if you will grow plants in two rows is better to use wire netting to support the peas.
Peas grow best in slightly acidic, well-drained but moist, rich in organic material, sandy soils, in sunny to partially shaded areas. The plants should be mulch to preserve the moisture and to keep the weeds down. Water plants throughout their lives when conditions become dry because moisture is the most important thing for a good development of peas. If the soil has been well-prepared they will have no further need for feeding. The plants should be pinched out when they reach the top to encourage shoots further down the plants.
Peas are best to be harvest when slightly immature while they still have the sweet taste. Harvesting them early also encourages them to produce more. Peas are normally ready for harvest 3 weeks after flowering and about 8 weeks after planting. The peas at the bottom of the plant will tend to be ready first, so you should begin the harvesting from here, working up as time progresses. When the plant stops producing peas just cut the top of the plant off and leave the roots in the ground to compost for next year.
