Let’s get something out of the way: if you think you don’t like peas, it’s probably because you’ve only had them from a can or a frozen bag, steamed into oblivion.
Freshly harvested peas? Whole different beast. Sweet. Crisp. Slightly grassy in the best way. Like eating tiny green candy straight off the vine. And the best part? They’re stupidly easy to grow.
Whether you’re working with raised beds, a few containers on a patio, or an actual garden plot, you can grow peas. And you should.
Why Peas Deserve a Spot in Your Garden
- They’re one of the first crops you can plant in spring.
- They grow fast and don’t need much fuss.
- They fix nitrogen into the soil (peas are the friend who brings snacks to the party).
- They’re vertical growers — which means you save space.
- And again: fresh peas taste like actual joy.
Types of Peas (Yes, There’s More Than One)
Don’t just grab a generic pack labeled “peas” — know your peas, people.
- Sugar Snap Peas:
Eat the whole pod. Crunchy. Sweet. You’ll eat them before they hit the bowl. - Snow Peas:
Flat pods, soft peas. Think stir-fry. Pick early and often. - Shelling Peas (English Peas):
You shell them for just the peas inside. More work, more reward.
When to Plant Peas
Peas are cool-weather crops, which means they’re out here thriving before the rest of your garden even wakes up.
- Spring planting: 4–6 weeks before your last frost date. Yes, really. They like the cold.
- Fall planting (in mild climates): About 8 weeks before your first frost.
Soil temp sweet spot? 45–70°F. Any hotter, and peas start pouting.
How to Plant Peas (Let’s Not Overthink This)
Soak or No Soak?
You can soak your seeds overnight to speed things up. But you don’t have to. If your soil is moist and temps are good, they’ll germinate just fine.
Step-by-Step:
- Location: Full sun is best. Partial shade is okay too.
- Soil: Well-drained, loose, with some compost mixed in. pH around 6.0–7.5.
- Spacing:
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart.
Rows about 18–24 inches apart.
If you’re short on space, plant in blocks — peas love community.
- Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Don’t let it dry out during flowering.
Trellis Time: Give ‘Em Something to Climb
Most peas love a support system — think chicken wire, bamboo teepees, cattle panels, or string trellises. They climb using little tendrils, and it’s honestly adorable.
You don’t need anything fancy. But if you let them flop on the ground, you’ll be battling slugs, rot, and sadness.
Bonus: vertical growing = cleaner peas, better airflow, easier harvesting.
How to Care Like a Pro
- Watering: Regular, especially once flowers appear. Dry soil = fewer pods.
- Mulching: Helps keep roots cool and soil moist.
- Fertilizing: Not really needed. They fix their own nitrogen (thank you, legumes).
- Weeding: Yes, do it. Gently. Their roots are shallow.
Harvesting Peas (aka Garden Snack Time)
The golden rule? Pick often. The more you harvest, the more they produce.
When to Pick:
- Sugar snaps: When pods are plump and shiny.
- Snow peas: Flat and tender, before peas start to swell.
- Shelling peas: Pods look full and slightly rounded.
Morning harvests are best — they’re crisp, sweet, and not sun-stressed.
Common Problems (and How to Avoid Gardening Heartbreak)
- Powdery mildew: Happens in late-season humidity. Trellising + good airflow helps. Neem oil if it gets serious.
- Pea aphids: You’ll see them clustering on the undersides of leaves. Blast with the hose or invite ladybugs.
- Poor pod production: Usually heat stress or lack of pollination. Shade them a bit during heat waves, or plant earlier next season.
Companion Plants: The Garden Friends You Want
Peas play nice with:
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Turnips
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Corn (as a living trellis)
Avoid planting near onions or garlic — they’re not friends, don’t ask why.
What to Do After Harvest
Peas are annuals, and once temps rise, they’re out. Don’t fight it.
- When they’re done, chop and drop the plants. Leave the roots in the soil — they’re little nitrogen bombs for your next crop.
- Or toss the plants in the compost pile.
Final Thoughts
Growing peas is the kind of gardening win that’ll make you feel like a green-thumbed genius. They’re early, easy, and wildly rewarding. Whether you’re tossing snap peas into a stir-fry, shelling English peas into a creamy risotto, or eating snow peas straight off the vine like a backyard gremlin — you will not regret planting these.
So do yourself a favor. Plant the peas. Build a scrappy trellis. Pick with reckless abandon. And most importantly: don’t forget to eat a few raw while standing barefoot in the garden.
Because that’s the whole point.
