peas-pisum sativum

sun or shade-water weekly-pH 6.0-7.5

sow 1-1/2"-2" in rich loose well-drained soil

for in-depth soil, soil food and watering go to www.intertruth.name

• easy to grow and harvest
• nitrogen fixers
• can seed winter and spring round
• grow in your garden, flower bed or container
• pea family-Fabiaceae-Leguminosae
• store seeds in cool dark dry place

Soil:

nitrogen rich, well-drained and well-composted humus, likes manure and moisture add alittle bit of sand in the spring to keep the soil drained well

• Please go to www.intertruth.name for soil building, pH and soil feeding techniques

Seed:

• sow seeds in late fall or early spring
• cover with soil and label
• germinates at 60-70 degrees F.
• once plants are 2" tall use deer netting and 6' tall bamboo stakes to create a trellis for the peas to crawl up
• very delicate vines so use care
• prune off dead flowers and leaves after the peas grow
• after season is over cut peas down to 1" above soil and use cut vines for nitrogen soil food, leave cut plants in soil for nitrogen
• IRISH EYES GARDEN SEEDS is my choice for seeds, they show in 7 days

Water:

keep your peas alittle dry, 1-2 times a week for a total of about 1/2 " water per week, too much water and you will get mildew

Companion plants: carrots, corn, turnips, cucumbers, radishes, potatoes, beans

Varieties:

• early sowing: Dakota, Douce, Knight, Provence, Meteor, Maestro, Hurst Green Shaft, Onward;
• disease resistant: Maestro;
• edible pods: Snow Sweet, Sugar Spring, Oregon Sugar Pod, Sugar Bon, Sugar Snap, Snow Green, Mammoth Melting Sugar

NOTE: MI on a variety means mosaic resistant.

Pests:

• to keep slugs out of your lettuce and garden, surround your garden with pulverized oyster shells
• to keep your plants healthy see www.intertruth.name for my special harmless neem oil recipe for aphids, and other pests

Bibliography:

GOLDEN GATE GARDENING - PAM PEIRCE

GROWING VEGETABLES & HERBS - MITCHELL BEAZLEY

organic GARDENING - Geoff Hamilton

RODALE'S Ultimate Encyclopedia of ORGANIC GARDENING - Rodale

THE GARDEN PRIMER - BARBARA DAMROSCH

A-Z for COMPANION PLANTING - PAMELA ALLARDICE