How to Grow Peas

Climbing Peas - such as Snow Peas, Sugarsnap Peas, and Telephone pole Peas -will need a trellis or support up to 2 m tall to climb up. A trellis running north to south helps maximise the sunlight the plants receive.

Dwarf Peas, such as Greenfeast, do not require a trellis to climb on but may benefit from low support up to 1 m tall. This helps keep the plants up off the ground and minimise diseases.

Peas need at least 6 hours of sunshine a day, so choose a sunny position in an area with well-drained soil.

Improving the soil before sowing seed will give the plants a great start. Soil improvement is as simple as mixing two handfuls of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser into each square metre of soil.

Peas do best in slightly acidic to alkaline soil (pH 6.0 – 7.5). In acidic soils, the soil pH can be raised by applying Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite.

Pea seeds are large and easy to sow. It's best to sow Peas seeds directly into the ground as transplanted seedlings tend to suffer transplant shock. Dampen the soil and sow seeds approximately 25 mm deep and at the spacing indicated on the pack of your chosen variety. Don’t water the soil again for another few days - if the soil is too wet the seeds may rot before germinating.  Seedlings should start to emerge in 7-10 days.

In very cold areas, wait until spring to sow Pea seeds, as flowers can be damaged by frost.

If the trellis or support does not reach the soil level, you may need to insert twigs or bamboo skewers into the soil, next to the seedlings. This gives them something to climb up until they reach the main support.

Keep the soil moist by watering at the base of the plants. To help reduce the incidence of diseases such as powdery mildew, avoid watering over the leaves. Applying mulch, like sugarcane or pea straw, around the base of the plants will help keep the soil moist.

Snails and Slugs are one of the biggest problems for young Pea seedlings, particularly during damp weather. Protect seedlings from Snails and Slugs with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Well-fed Pea plants will be healthier and more productive, so regular feeding is important. Once the seedlings are established (around 4 weeks after sowing), start feeding the plants every 1 – 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser. Mix 1-2 spoonfuls in a 9 litre watering can and apply around the base of the plants.

Peas are legumes so they will produce some of their own nitrogen - the nutrient that promotes green leaf and stem growth. However, Pea plants require other nutrients including potassium, which promotes flowering and pod development. Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser is rich in Pea-promoting potassium.

Pea flowers will usually pollinate themselves before the flowers open, however, you may see Bees foraging in the flowers for nectar.

Depending on the variety, Peas will be ready to start picking from 8 weeks after sowing. Snow Peas should be picked when the pods are still flat and tender. Sugarsnap Peas can be picked when the pods are still young and tender. Otherwise, leave pods growing on the vine until well-filled with Peas. Shelling Peas should be picked as soon as the pods are plump.

To promote the best quality Peas and a longer harvest season, pick Peas every 2-3 days. You can also sow successive crops every 4-5 weeks to extend your harvest window.

Climbing Snow Peas and Sugarsnap Peas are ideal for growing in containers, as are dwarf Peas like Yates ‘Earlicrop Massey’. Climbing Peas will require a trellis, pyramid, or tepee, while dwarf ‘Earlicrop Massey’ can grow without support.

Choose a pot or trough at least 40-50 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Position in full sun in a wind-protected spot.

Fill the pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter and water well to moisten the mix.

For climbing Peas, place the pot next to a wire trellis attached to a wall or fence. Or insert a wire pyramid or tepee firmly into the potting mix.

Sow Pea seeds at the recommended depth and spacing on the pack. For climbing Peas, sow seeds at the base of the support. Don’t water the potting mix again for another few days, as if the mix is too wet, the seeds may rot before germinating. Seedlings should start to emerge in 7-10 days.

Snails and Slugs are one of the biggest problems for young Pea seedlings, particularly during damp weather. Protect seedlings from Snails and Slugs with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

If the trellis or support does not reach the soil level, you may need to insert twigs or bamboo skewers into the soil, next to the seedlings. This gives them something to climb up until they reach the main support.

Keep the soil moist by watering at the base of the plants. To help reduce the incidence of diseases such as powdery mildew, avoid watering over the leaves. Applying mulch, like sugarcane or pea straw, around the base of the plants will help keep the soil moist.

Well-fed Pea plants will be healthier and more productive, so regular feeding is important. Once the seedlings are established (around 4 weeks after sowing), start feeding the plants every 1 – 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser. Mix 1-2 spoonfuls in a 9 litre watering can and apply around the base of the plants.

Peas are legumes so they will produce some of their own nitrogen - the nutrient that promotes green leaf and stem growth. However, Pea plants require other nutrients including potassium, which promotes flowering and pod development. Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser is rich in Pea-promoting potassium.

Pea flowers will usually pollinate themselves before the flowers open, however, you may see Bees foraging in the flowers for nectar.

Depending on the variety, Peas will be ready to start picking from 8 weeks after sowing. Snow Peas should be picked when the pods are still flat and tender. Sugarsnap Peas can be picked when the pods are still young and tender. Otherwise, leave pods growing on the vine until well-filled with Peas. Shelling Peas should be picked as soon as the pods are plump.

To promote the best quality Peas and a longer harvest season, pick Peas every 2-3 days. You can also sow successive crops every 4-5 weeks to extend your harvest window.

At the end of the season, trim the Pea plants off at the base leaving the roots in the soil, and cut up all the leaves and stems into small pieces to use as mulch. This can add valuable nitrogen and organic matter back into the soil. Leafy vegetables such as Lettuce and Silverbeet will appreciate the additional nitrogen that Peas leave behind.

Slow growth could be a sign of a lack of nutrients. Feed Pea plants every 1 -2 weeks with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser to promote healthy growth. It’s also important to grow Peas in a sunny position that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight and sow seed at the correct time of the year as per the seed pack directions.

Depending on the variety, Pea plants will start to flower around 8 weeks after sowing. If the plants look healthy, you can help promote flowering and pod development by regularly applying a high-potassium fertiliser like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser.

Yellowing leaves can be an early sign of the disease Powdery Mildew. Powdery Mildew also appears as white talcum powder-like spots over leaves.

Sometimes Pea leaves are naturally mottled, with lighter coloured patches scattered over the leaves. This is not a disease and does not require treatment.

To help reduce the incidence of powdery mildew grow Peas in an airy and sunny location, and only water plants at their base to help minimise wet leaves. At the first sign of Powdery Mildew, spray plants with Yates Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide & Miticide.

Pea plants can be prone to Downy Mildew. Early symptoms of this disease include stunted or distorted growth of developing seedlings. The leaves of older plants may turn yellow and develop greyish tufty spores on their undersides. Downy mildew is more prevalent during periods of high humidity.

To help reduce the incidence of Downy Mildew, grow Peas in an airy and sunny location, and only water plants at their base to help minimise wet leaves. At the first sign of Downy Mildew, spray plants with Yates Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide & Miticide.

Spot diseases - such as Chocolate Spot and Angular Leaf Spot - can affect both Pea leaves and pods. They can initially appear as small brown spots on the leaves and pods, however, can progress to cover and discolour the entire plant or pods.

At the first sign of these leaf spots, spray plants with Yates Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide & Miticide.

Peas can be prone to a few common pests, including Aphids, Thrips and Mites. All of which can be treated using Yates Nature's Way Vegies & Herb Spray.

Aphids are tiny green, brown, yellow or black sap-sucking insects that cluster on leaves and stems. They can damage the leaves and plant health will suffer. As soon as Aphids are noticed, spray the plants with Yates Nature’s Way Vegie & Herb Spray. It’s an insecticidal soap, based on natural vegetable oils, and is approved for use in organic gardening.

Thrips are tiny slender insects, only 1-2 mm long, and can be different colours ranging from yellowish to black. They're sap-sucking pests and cause Pea leaves or pods to develop silvery or mottled patches. You may also notice small dark droppings. As soon as Thrips or their damage are noticed, spray plants every 5 - 7 days with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray, ensuring all sides of the foliage and pods are covered.

Mites are very tiny sap-sucking pests that can attack either the foliage or pods of Peas. Symptoms of Mite infestations include yellowing leaves, stunted plants or new leaves being twisted. Control Mites on foliage with regular sprays of Yates Nature's Way Vegies & Herb Spray.

There are a few leaf-chewing pests that feed on Peas including Beetles, Weevils, and Caterpillars. Control of Beetles and Weevils is difficult, so try to pick them off by hand and squish them underfoot as soon as you see them.

Caterpillars are long and thin and have three pairs of legs near the head, and 2-5 pairs of "false legs" near the rear. Symptoms of Caterpillar damage will look like holes in leaves, or skeletonised leaves - this is where the leaf tissue is eaten away but the veins remain. As soon as Caterpillars are seen on the plant spray with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray.

At the end of the season, trim the Pea plants off at the base leaving the roots in the soil, and cut up all the leaves and stems into small pieces to use as mulch. This can add valuable nitrogen and organic matter back into the soil. Leafy vegetables such as Lettuce and Silverbeet will appreciate the additional nitrogen that Peas leave behind.

Once Peas are established they can be tolerant of light frosts. To reduce frost damage you can spray plants with Yates Waterwise DroughtShield. As well as watering plants, including the foliage, very early in the morning after a frost.

You can grow Peas on a teepee using a pyramid of bamboo poles or tomato stakes. Use 5-10 poles/stakes that are 1.5 m or longer. Tie them together with twine, securing them 10-15 cm away from the tip. Push the other end of each pole/stake into the soil in the shape of a circle. Push the pole/stake far enough into the soil so they’re stable, secure and even. Lastly, wind the twine down and around the teepee to give the Pea plants extra places to climb, and to help strengthen the teepee.