How to grow peas outdoors

Many gardeners and dacha owners will inevitably grow peas. We've decided to explain how to plant and care for them outdoors. Planting peas is a good idea, as they're not only tasty but also healthy.
During its development, this crop enriches the soil with nitrogen, which has a significant impact on its yield. Peas grow in any soil. Highly acidic soils are unsuitable, as they inhibit root development, leading to pea disease and weakness. If there's no other option and the soil is acidic, apply lime at a rate of 350 g/m² before planting. Sandy soils are also unsuitable, as they yield poorly. Soils with good moisture content and a high humus content (rotted plant and animal remains) are the best options. Peas also thrive in full sun and light.

Which variety should I choose?

To choose a pea variety, you need to know the purpose for which you're growing it. The pea variety depends on the purpose. Recipes for different dishes call for different varieties. There are three varieties: sugar, shelling, and semi-sweet. The first variety is interesting because it's very popular both fresh and canned. Shelling varieties are ideal for soups. This type of pea needs to be dried after harvesting. Pea varieties are divided into early, mid-season, and late. Since each variety has a completely different ripening time, you can enjoy juicy young peas all summer long.

Checking seeds for germination

Checking the seeds is very simple. You'll need 1 liter of warm water (but not boiling) with 1 tablespoon of table salt (not iodized) dissolved in it. Submerge the seeds in this solution. Any peas that float to the surface can be discarded; they've failed the test. They're flawed. Rinse the remaining peas thoroughly under running water and let them dry completely.

Landing

The best time to plant peas is early spring. There are two ways to plant them.

Method One: To ensure rapid germination, soak the seeds in relatively warm water for approximately 12 hours, changing the water every 3 hours. During this period, the peas swell. When the time is up, carefully drain the water and let the peas dry. Sometimes, a growth regulator is added during the soaking process.

The second method: peas can be planted dry; preferably, the soil should be moist. If the seeds are good, they will swell in the soil. With this planting method, peas germinate significantly later than with the first method.

This plant is not afraid of frost or cold. That's why it can be planted starting in late April, although the beds are prepared in advance, in the fall. To do this, the garden is dug to a depth of 30 cm. Fertilizer is essential. This can be humus or compost. Fertilizer should be applied again in the spring.

This crop can germinate at temperatures as low as 6°C, although the optimal growth temperature is 10°C. If you plan to use several varieties of peas, it's best to plant them in stages. This plant, it turns out, doesn't like heat, so if planted during a hot period, it won't flower. You'll get your first harvest by the end of June, so you can plant other varieties as early as July or even August. This harvest will be ready by fall.

Landing features

When planting peas, use the strip method. One strip consists of three rows, the distance between which depends on the variety. For example, sugar peas require about 40 cm, while shelling peas require 25 cm. Keep the distance between strips no more than 50 cm, and the planting depth can be as deep as 4 cm.

Caring for peas

This plant is quite easy to care for, and there are no special care requirements. However, there are two periods when fertilization is crucial: the period immediately before flowering and the period just before the fruit sets. Immediately after planting, the soil should be tamped down or simply covered with plastic. These measures are necessary to protect the future seedlings from birds.

Although peas prefer well-drained soil, they don't like frequent watering. A few waterings are sufficient: once before the first green leaves appear, again just before flowering, and a third time when the peas have fully ripened. However, the soil itself needs to be loosened to improve oxygenation. Once the plant reaches a height of 25 cm, it will need support.

Peas are very susceptible to aphids, so to get rid of them, rinse the plants with water. However, remove any plants infected with powdery mildew from the garden, otherwise they will infect others.

Harvest

The plant ripens quickly, so as soon as the pod turns bright green, feel free to pick it.

Peas can be replanted in the same spot only after four years. After peas, plant radishes. Pea decoction is used as a diuretic.

It wouldn't hurt to know Features of growing beans and caring for them in open ground.