Growing peas

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Culture Peas

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Quick Summary for Growing Peas

Peas of an extra early smooth class are the first thing to be planted in the garden in spring. The wrinkled sorts follow a little later, as they are not quite so hardy. Open furrows three to four inches deep and three feet apart, scatter the seed Peas in them and cover with hoe. Cultivate lik Coru or Beans. The very dwarf sort of American Wonder type will succeed only on the very richest garden soil and may be planted in rows one foot apart. Tall growing Peas may be sown broad cast to advantage upon very clean soil or new breaking (three bushels per acre).

Detailed Instructions for Growing Peas

Sow peas as early as the ground can be worked in spring; old gardeners usually claim that they like to have the last snow find their peas in the ground; certain it is that peas like a cool soil, and often fail to germinate when the weather and soil is warm. The dwarf varieties are usually preferred for the private garden, but will not bear as heavily as the taller sorts; but as these require brushing, the difference in labour is by many considered to more than offset their extra productiveness. Poultry netting makes ideal support for the tall-growing sorts, and if rolled up and stood in a dry place after the peas are gathered, will last a lifetime.

The wrinkled varieties are far ahead in tender sweetness of the smooth varieties, but as they are not as hardy, they should be planted in well-drained, warm, sandy ground for the first planting.

Peas may be planted for a succession every two weeks up to the middle of June, then should be discontinued until the middle of August, when sowings of the extra-early varieties may be made for a late crop.

In planting, sow in double rows, six to eight inches apart, the rows from two to three feet apart. Plant the seed four inches deep and tread down the rows, going over the rows lightly with the lawn rake when all the seeds are in. This deep planting prevents mildew, and the seed is less apt to be disturbed by moles.

American Wonder and Nott's Excelsior are of the best of the wrinkled peas, Nott's Excelsior being a rather freer bearer, owing to possessing more top. American Wonder is but one foot in height, and has not sufficient top to be a very profitable pea except for the home garden; but as peas are one of the few vegetables which may be grown in successive crops on the same ground, the plants may be pulled up as soon as through bearing and another planting of seeds made in the same place.

Champion of England is an excellent late pea of the wrinkled sort and of fine flavour ; it requires brushing or should be given wire-netting support.

The main crop of peas, which are grown through the warmer months, may be planted to advantage on a heavier soil; they should be kept cultivated and free from weeds and the earth drawn up against the vines a couple of times before maturing. This is all the culture required, peas being one of the easiest vegetables to grow.