Vegetable · Legume
Shelling Peas
Pisum sativumShelling peas are one of the great early-season pleasures, climbing quickly in cool weather to deliver sweet pods that rarely make it back to the kitchen unopened. They fix their own nitrogen, leaving soil richer for whatever follows. The one rule: get them in early, since peas sulk and stop setting pods once summer heat arrives.
Sow depth
1 in
Spacing
2 in · rows 18 in
Sun
Full sun
Germination
7–14 days
Time to harvest
60–70 days
Difficulty
Easy
When to sow shelling peas
- Sow from about 4 weeks before your last expected frost until about 2 weeks after your last expected frost.
- Sow from about 13 weeks before the first expected autumn frost until about 11 weeks before the first expected autumn frost.
Direct sow as soon as soil is workable — peas shrug off light frost.Sow into a double row so plants can lean on each other for support.Push seed to a firm, moist bed for the most even germination.
Install supports early — netting or twiggy sticks keep vines off the ground.Water well once flowering begins to plump the developing pods.Mulch lightly to keep roots cool as the weather warms.
Pick often — regular picking keeps the vines producing longer.Harvest pods once they feel plump and full from end to end.Pick from the bottom of the vine upward as pods mature.
Companion plants
Peas fix nitrogen in the soil that hungry neighbors like sweet corn can draw on later in the season.
Watch out for
Powdery mildew — Warm days and humid nights coat leaves in white late in the season. Water at soil level and remove affected foliage promptly.