Peas

Since the advent of frozen, pre-shelled peas, very few of us ever seem to have the opportunity to taste fresh green peas! But the flavour of a just-picked pea is something everyone should experience, especially when they’re so easy to grow. There are a few varieties to choose from including sugarsnap or snow peas and you can even grow a few types on balconies or in small spaces, too.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained

Suitable for all climatic zones.

About 10-16 weeks after planting, depending on the variety. Harvest pods regularly to keep more crops coming

Peas grow well during the cooler months. The flowers can be damaged by frost so, in very cold areas, wait until spring to sow

How to grow peas in a garden

Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well drained soil. Loosen soil to depth of 30cm and enrich with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
Unless you know your soil already has a high pH, add Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite to help raise soil pH.
Dampen soil and sow seeds approximately25mm deep. Don’t water again until seedlings appear.
Once seedlings emerge, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulch like sugar cane or pea straw to retain moisture.
Climbing peas like Yates Telephone, Snow Peas and Climbing Sugarsnap will need a supporting trellis to climb on as they grow. Choose a wire panels or bamboo trellis as they allow air movement through the plants.
Harvest once peas are plump. You may be picking every 2-3 days and this will also help promote more peas! You can also sow successive crops every 4-5 weeks to extend your harvest window.

How to grow peas in a pot

Snow peas and Yates ‘Earlicrop Massey’ are ideal for growing in containers in small space areas or balconies. Snow peas require a trellis, while dwarf ‘Earlicrop Massey’ can grow without support.

Choose a pot or trough at least 600mm wide and 200mm deep. Position in full sun and protect from strong winds.
Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter and water well.
Sow seeds approximately25mm deep and don’t water again until seedlings appear.
Once seedlings emerge, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
If required, install a trellis to help support the plants.
Harvest once peas are plump. You may be picking every 2-3 days and this will also help promote more peas!

Yates varieties

Growing tips

Even the taller ‘dwarf’ peas, such as Greenfeast, will perform better if given some support otherwise they tend to flop on the ground where they’re more likely to pick up disease.
If you don’t have room for a trellis, the low growing Yates ‘Earlicrop Massey’ is ideal.
At the end of the season, dig the plants into the soil so that they can add valuable nitrogen.
Water regularly throughout the growing season, particularly in warmer weather. Try watering the soil or base of the plant to prevent fungal issues such as powdery mildew.