How to Grow Garden Peas
Pisum sativum
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 6°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed — peas fix nitrogen. Mulch to retain moisture.
- Sow successionally every 3 weeks for continuous harvest. Eat as soon as possible after picking — sugar converts to starch quickly.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
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- First harvest
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 8 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 5 cm |
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Sow seeds thickly in wide bands or double rows. The 60 cm is the path between rows. The dense planting allows the pea tendrils to support each other.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Rarely needed — peas fix nitrogen. Mulch to retain moisture.
- Watch for
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- Pea moth
- Powdery mildew
- Mice (eat seeds)
- Birds (eat seedlings)
Pests & Diseases
Pest Pea Moth
Identification: Small caterpillars found inside pods at harvest, with frass (droppings) and damaged peas
- Cover plants with fine mesh netting when flowers first appear to prevent egg-laying
- Sow early (February-March) or late (June) to avoid the main moth flight period in June-July
- No effective chemical controls available for home gardeners
Pest Pea Aphid
Identification: Clusters of green aphids on shoot tips, tendrils and pods, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide (check harvest interval)
- Encourage ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies
- Avoid chemical sprays close to harvest on edible crops
Pest Mice
Identification: Seeds dug up and eaten before germination; neat holes where seeds were sown
- Start seeds in modules or guttering indoors and plant out as established seedlings
- Cover direct sowings with fine mesh or chicken wire pegged down firmly
- Set humane traps near sowing areas
- Not applicable
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, stems and pods, causing yellowing and reduced cropping
Treatment: Remove badly affected plants. Water at soil level to keep plants hydrated
Prevention: Space plants well for good airflow, keep soil consistently moist, and choose mildew-resistant varieties
Disease Downy Mildew Peronospora viciae
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with greyish-purple fuzzy growth on the undersides; stunted growth in young plants
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overcrowding, ensure good drainage, and do not sow into cold, wet soil
Disease Foot and Root Rot
Symptoms: Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves, brown or black discolouration at the stem base, poor root development
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Do not replant peas in the same spot for at least 3 years
Prevention: Rotate crops, ensure good drainage, and avoid sowing into cold, waterlogged soil
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 6°C |
| Germination temperature | 8–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Garden Peas?
- Plant Garden Peas 8cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Garden Peas?
- Garden Peas is ready to harvest approximately 60 days after transplanting.
- Is Garden Peas frost hardy?
- Garden Peas is classified as Hardy.
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