Starting Peas From Seed

Garden peas are one of the most popular vegetable crops available and they are usually one of the first crops that can be planted outdoors however, before planting your peas you’ve got to make sure that you’re soil has warmed up because cold soil can result in very poor germination and peas that are started in cold soil are also more susceptible to certain types of soil-borne diseases such as root rot. Peas also do well in most climates and can be a lot of fun to grow. However no one really wants to sit around and wait for spring to hit so with a few shortcuts you can begin your garden peas before the first thaw of spring rolls around.

The first thing that you need to do is decide what variety of peas you want to plant because there are many different kinds and they all have unique tastes and ways of growing. It’s best to ask other gardeners in your area that have experience growing peas and similar crops what varieties they like and which ones do best your in climate. Because they’re form the area they’ll have a good idea of what types of peas will do well in your zone and they can also usually give you some tips and ideas as to which ones you might like best. There are lots of different choices when it comes to peas and you can pick between shelling peas, snap peas, snow peas and so on. Just be sure to have a good idea of how they grow because many pea plants can get over six feet tall when fully mature and you don’t want that to come as a surprise when you’ve already planted a bunch of your peas.

Peas are a very hard vegetable and they can survive fairly low temperatures compared to other plants but they do still need some warmth to germinate otherwise they’ll be more susceptible to diseases, fungus, and even insect damage. The best way to prevent this but to still get a move on with planting your peas is to start them indoors. It’s very simply to start sprouting peas indoors and in fact with just a damp paper towel you can see when the root appears and doing so will make the difference between your peas being able to survive any could weather they encounter. Plus if you have a particularly long cold season in your area you can simply continue to grow the peas as transplants for a bit longer and then move them to your garden once the ground is a bit warmer.

This also gives you time to build the arrangements for how you’re going to grow your peas such as any trellising that might be required and it allows you to prepare the soil before planting your little starters in their new homes. Such as adding any inoculant or fertilizer you might feel is necessary.

Eventually the temperatures outside will support the growth of your peas but why not give them the advantage by starting them inside as seeds? It’s fun, simple, and much easier than hoping your frozen soil will take care of them!