Peas are a beloved crop for gardens across Missouri Their sweet flavor and crunchy texture make them a treat fresh from the vine To get the most out of pea planting, it’s key to understand the ideal timing and conditions in Missouri’s variable climate. With the right prep, you can enjoy an abundant pea harvest from your garden or containers.
Why Grow Peas?
Before delving into timing, let’s review why peas are such a prized plant Peas offer these benefits
-
Sweet flavor. Freshly picked peas have a sweetness you can’t find in store-bought varieties. Their sugar starts converting to starch quickly after harvest, so homegrown peas straight from the vine have the best taste.
-
Crisp texture. Pea pods have a satisfying crunch when harvested at peak ripeness. This crispness declines if peas over-mature in the garden.
-
Nutritious. Peas provide vitamin C, protein, fiber, vitamin K, manganese, folate, phosphorus, and more. Snow and snap peas especially pack nutrients since you eat the pods.
-
Variety. You can grow English shelling peas for the seeds, edible-podded snow peas, or crispy snap peas. There’s a pea for every preference!
-
Cool weather crop. Unlike crops that require hot weather, peas thrive in Missouri’s moderate spring temperatures.
With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why gardeners eagerly await pea planting season.
When to Plant Peas in Missouri
Timing is everything when it comes to pea planting in Missouri. Here are key tips:
-
Plant early. Peas crave cool weather. In most of Missouri, aim to plant peas 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost. This gives peas time to mature before warm temps arrive.
-
Know your region. Missouri has different planting zones based on typical spring frost dates. Refer to the map to see your region and recommended planting window.
-
Plant successionally. For a sustained harvest, plant small batches of peas every 2 weeks until 4-6 weeks before your area’s last frost.
-
Watch the weather. Adjust timing if an unusual cold or warm spell is forecasted. Peas can handle light frosts but produce poorly in heat.
-
Plant fall peas. Some varieties can be planted in August/September for a fall crop before frost. Check variety specifics for fall planting recommendations.
Choosing Pea Varieties
Missouri’s variable climate means peas can thrive in some areas better than others. Consider these factors when selecting varieties:
-
Days to maturity. Pick early-maturing varieties to ensure a harvest before summer. Long-season peas likely won’t fully mature.
-
Height. Dwarf and short vines suit exposed areas. Tall climbers need trellising but give higher yields.
-
Snow/snap peas. Both have edible pods and mature faster than English shelling peas. Great for shorter seasons.
-
Heat/cold tolerance. Look for varieties bred to withstand temperature extremes in your microclimate.
-
Disease resistance. Some peas are more susceptible to common diseases like powdery mildew and wilt. Resistant varieties improve odds of success.
With thousands of pea varieties, reviewing Missouri-specific recommendations from local resources can help narrow choices. Prioritize disease resistance and days to maturity.
How to Plant
Peas aren’t too picky about soil but do best in fertile, well-drained spots. Here are tips for planting:
-
Sun. Choose a location with at least 6 hours of direct sun to maximize growth.
-
Soil prep. Work compost into garden beds to enrich the soil. Peas need nutrients and appreciate drainage.
-
Direct sow. Plant pea seeds 1-2″ deep and 2″ apart in rows 18-36″ apart. Cover lightly with soil.
-
Trellis tall varieties. Use pea trellises, strings, nets, or fences to support climbing vines.
-
Water. Consistent moisture, about 1-1.5″ per week, is key while plants are establishing and during flowering and pod set. Avoid wet foliage.
-
Warm soil. If soil is cold, presoak seeds for faster germination. Don’t plant seeds deeper than 2″ in cold soil or they may rot.
-
Companion planting. Pair peas with root crops like radishes and lettuce that can grow in the shade of vines. Avoid planting near onions.
Caring for Pea Plants
Peas need minimal care aside from consistent water. Here are tips for keeping them thriving:
-
Weed vigilantly. Peas don’t compete well with weeds. Carefully hand pull weeds around delicate seedlings and avoid hoeing pea rows.
-
Scout for pests. Watch for aphids, leafhoppers and other crop-damaging insects. Take action early before infestations escalate. Organic options include insecticidal soap, neem oil, and diatomaceous earth.
-
Harvest frequently. Regularly pick ripe pods to encourage more pod production. Leaving pods on the vines signals to slow production.
-
Pull plants after harvest. Peas have a short harvesting window, usually around 2 weeks. After that, uproot spent plants to make space for other crops.
How to Harvest Peas
Be diligent when your pea plants start flowering – harvest will follow soon after! Here are tips for reaping your reward:
-
Harvest early in the day. Pick in the morning when pods are plump with dew. Hot afternoons cause peas to starch up and lose sweetness.
-
Look for rounded pods. Pods should feel full but not bulging. Overripe pods signal starchy peas.
-
Pick often. Check plants every 2-3 days and harvest ripe pods. Don’t leave them on the vines to over mature.
-
Feel the peas. For shelled varieties, gently squeeze pods to gauge pea size. Harvest when they’ve filled out the pod but before fully mature.
-
Chilling extends shelf life. Refrigerate freshly picked pods as soon as possible to retain sugars. Don’t rinse until ready to use.
-
Freeze extras. Blanch shelled peas 1-2 minutes then freeze in airtight containers. Or freeze whole snap and snow pea pods.
With the right timing and care, Missouri gardens can produce bumper crops of sweet, tender peas. Armed with this guide, you can start planting peas with confidence. Adjust planting dates and varieties as needed to find your ideal schedule. Soon you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your efforts!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sweet-peas-the-queen-of-the-annuals-1402917-06-893caa2772ff4af6b02d7663b2a38763.jpg)
Vegetable Planting Calendar Reviewed October 2017
David H. Trinklein Horticulture State Specialist Division of Plant Sciences
Home production of vegetables has been increasing in popularity in recent years. The family garden provides fresh, cheap food that helps them stick to a healthy diet by encouraging them to eat more vegetables. This also saves money on the family’s food bill.
Planning is the first step in establishing a vegetable garden. Many of the vegetables that people grow in their own gardens are shown in Table 1, along with other information that can help you plan a vegetable garden.
What variety should I plant?
The varieties listed in Table 2 represent the “cream of the crop. ” They do not include all of the good ones. In selecting varieties, we primarily consider yield, quality and disease resistance as experienced under Missouri conditions.
When should I plant my garden in Missouri?
FAQ
What month do you plant peas?
What are the best peas to grow in Missouri?
What is the secret to growing peas?
When to start planting vegetables in Missouri?
When should you plant peas?
Plant peas in early- to mid-spring, before the last frost date has passed. Sow the seeds directly in the ground, making sure they are 2 inches apart. You can grow rows of peas or tuck them wherever you have room. Since they don’t need a lot of space to grow, gardeners will often plant them between other veggies in the garden.
When to plant peas in Virginia?
Sugar Snow, Dwarf Gray Sugar, Queen Anne and Green Arrow are good pea varieties for Virginia. These may be planted in late April in central Virginia and early May in eastern Virginia. A second harvest may be planted if done 10 weeks or more before the date of first frost. They may be planted in full sun or partial shade.
When should I plant peas in Louisiana?
To ensure a continuous supply of fresh market peas in Louisiana, plant peas on a 2- to 3-week schedule between late March and early August in South Louisiana, and between April and late July in North Louisiana. The optimum soil temperature range for peas’ germination is between 70 to 95 degrees F.
Do I have to plant the first date available?
While you don’t have to plant the very first date available, you don’t want to wait too long, or you won’t get your crops matured and harvested before the first fall/winter frost. (Usually, the “Days to Harvest” are present on the seed packets, but you need to add in time for picking.)