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Peas are a delightfully sweet crunchy vegetable that can be grown in home gardens with ease. Their tender pods and peas burst with flavor when eaten fresh right off the vine. Many gardeners wonder, can you plant fresh peas from the ones you buy at the grocery store or farmers market to grow your own pea patch? The answer is yes with some caveats. Read on for tips on planting and growing peas from fresh peas.
Where to Get Peas for Planting
The best and most reliable peas for planting come from dried peas specifically sold for sowing, bought from seed catalogs or garden centers. These have been properly harvested, cured, and stored to maximize viable seed for germination.
However, fresh shelling peas and snap or snow peas can also be used to grow more pea vines, with a few considerations:
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Choose plump, fully developed peas – Pick mature, fat peas over smaller, underdeveloped ones which may not sprout well. Avoid old, wrinkled peas.
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Dry fresh peas thoroughly – Fresh peas have high moisture content. Dry them out over 5-7 days until no moisture remains before planting.
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Don’t shell peas – Leave peas inside their pods to plant for protection. Shell only right before eating.
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Plant more than needed – Germination rates are lower than dried peas, so plant a few extra for insurance.
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Refrigerate to store – Once dried, store peas you plan to sow in the refrigerator in paper bags.
How to Plant Fresh Peas
The process for planting fresh peas is the same as planting peas from seed packets. Follow these tips for success:
Wait For Soil to Warm
Peas prefer cool soil and will rot if planted while soils are cold and wet, Wait until daytime temps reach 65°F and soil has warmed to at least 40°F before sowing,
Prepare Soil
Peas thrive in well-drained, fertile soil amended with compost or manure. Mix in 1-2 inches of organic matter to planting beds before sowing.
Sow Seeds 1-2 Inches Deep
Plant fresh pea pods 1-2 inches deep and 2 inches apart in rows spaced 6-8 inches apart. Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
Support Vines
Install trellises, fencing, or pea sticks at planting time to support the vines as they grow. Peas have shallow roots and appreciate the support.
Water Regularly
Keep soil moist, watering at the base of plants to avoid wetting vines. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses work beautifully for peas.
Fertilize Lightly
Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers which promote leafy vines over peas. A cup per foot of a balanced organic fertilizer mixed into soil at planting time is usually sufficient.
Growing and Caring For Peas
Here are some tips for taking care of your peas as they grow:
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Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Gently hand pick any weeds that sprout near peas. Avoid hoeing which can damage shallow pea roots.
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Provide support structures for vines to climb as they grow taller.
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Water 1-2 inches per week. More during hot, dry weather.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and treat organically if found. Row covers can prevent insect problems.
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Pick peas frequently once they mature to encourage more pod production.
Harvesting Peas Grown from Fresh Peas
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Pick snow and snap peas when pods fill out but are still plump. Pods will fade in color and flatten as they become overripe.
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Harvest shelling peas when pods are plump and full sized but still bright green and glossy before interior peas mature.
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Pick in early morning when peas are sugars are highest.
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Handle vines gently when picking to avoid damaging plants.
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Store freshly picked peas in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days for best flavor.
Storing Peas from Fresh Peas
Enjoy fresh eating peas immediately after harvest for sweetest flavor. Peas lose sugars quickly after picking. But extra peas can be preserved by:
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Freezing – Blanch peas 2-3 minutes until heated through but still bright green. Cool, drain, and seal in airtight containers.
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Drying – Mature peas can be left to dry further on vines, then threshed and stored in airtight jars in a cool place. Use dried peas in soups and stews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Fresh Peas
Here are answers to some common questions about planting and growing peas from fresh peas:
Can I plant peas straight from the grocery store?
It’s best to let fresh peas dry out for 5-7 days after bringing them home before planting. This reduces rotting.
How long do fresh peas last for planting?
Store dried fresh peas in the refrigerator in paper bags for 1-2 years maximum before germination rates decline. Discard peas that smell musty or are very wrinkled.
What’s the best way to dry fresh peas for planting?
Simply leave fresh unshelled peas spread on paper towels or screens in a well-ventilated room. Turn them periodically until no surface moisture remains.
Should I remove pods before planting peas?
No, leave peas inside their pods for planting to protect the embryo. Just gently press into soil. The pod will decompose as the pea germinates.
Can peas cross-pollinate?
Peas are self-pollinating, so different pea varieties won’t cross with each other if planted nearby.
How long until peas I plant grow?
From planting seeds, expect to harvest peas in 60-70 days depending on variety. Check peas frequently once blooms appear.
Why aren’t my peas germinating well?
Old, shriveled peas, diseased peas, improper planting depth, and cold, wet soils can cause poor germination. Ensure peas are fresh and soils are suitably warm.
Conclusion
While buying dried peas bred for seed offers the most success and viability, gardeners can also try planting peas straight from the grocery store. With proper selection of plump pods, thorough drying, and care in planting and growing, peas bought for eating can generate abundant vines and peas. Plant a few extra seeds to account for lower germination rates. With this extra effort, you can grow peas on the cheap from the market and enjoy their sweet burst of flavor at harvest time.
How to Plant Peas
- You should plant peas directly in the ground, and you shouldn’t move their roots around. But you can move the seeds to a new location if you start them in biodegradable pots. You can move the whole pot to the garden, and the pot will break down.
- Plant seeds in raised garden beds where spring lasts a long time and gets wet.
- To speed germination, soak seeds in water overnight before planting.
- Plant seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep (a little deeper if the soil is dry). Do not thin.
- Plant rows 7 inches apart.
- When it comes to crop rotation, you should only plant peas in the same spot every four years.
- Pea roots fix nitrogen in the soil, just like the roots of other legumes. This lets other plants use it.
- Peas need phosphorus and potassium in their fertilizer, but too much nitrogen will make leaves grow instead of flowers or pods. Learn more about soil amendments.
- Bush peas can reach 18 to 30 inches tall. Pole types can get at least 6 feet tall. Both types (especially bush peas over 2 feet tall and all pole peas) do better with support. Place thin tree branches, pea sticks, trellises, chicken wire, strings, or netting in place before the plants’ shallow roots take hold. Learn how to build pea trellises and supports by following these steps.
- Water to keep the soil moist. Put seeds back into the ground if they wash away.
Video Demo: Growing Peas from Sowing to Harvest
Learn all about growing peas in our video demonstration, and then see the instructions in the guide below. Read Next.
Select a sunny location and well-draining soil. Peas will not be as sweet or productive if they are grown in part shade instead of full sun. Prepare the soil by adding aged manure and/or compost and mulching it well. Peas like soil that drains well.