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Peas
Peas taste best when grown in home gardens, because the sooner you eat them after harvesting the better they taste. Once peas have been harvested the sugars start to covert into starch, causing them to not taste as sweet. Peas are available in a variety of types, some you can eat the pod and the peas, others you can only eat the peas.
Fact: Peas do not need nitrogen enriched fertilizers because they use the nitrogen in the air.
These peas are shelled from their pods before eating
You can eat the pod along with the peas.
You can eat the pod along with the peas.
How to plant:
Peas need to be planted in sunny areas and should not be exposed to dry or extremely wet weather. When the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit you can plant pea seeds in your garden, but make sure your soil is not too wet or cold because the seeds will not grow. Pea seeds should be planted 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep and 2 inches apart.
Pea plants are climbers, use sticks or wire fencing to support them and use string to secure the plants if necessary. Be careful not to overwater pea plants because they will produce more leaves than pods.
Common Problems:
Birds and mice can eat your peas before you get the chance! Prevent them from snacking by covering your plants with netting or wire covers.
Pea moths can ruin your entire pea crop, midseason by laying eggs on the flowers. Pea thrips can also ruin your crop when they turn your pea pods a silvery-brown color and stop the growth of your plants. You can get rid of pea moths and pea thrips by using a plant safe insecticide.
Harvest Time:
You can harvest your peas about three months after planting by simply picking them off the plant. The sooner you eat the peas after harvesting, the sweeter they will taste. Harvest peas in mornings when it is cool and then keep them in the refrigerator to enjoy throughout the day.
Once you have finished harvesting your peas for the year, cut down all plants to the ground, leaving the roots.
- Text Copyright ©Alan Buckingham 2008. DK Edition. Growing Vegetables.
