Pea plants are herbaceous annuals that belong to the Fabaceae family. They are usually grown for their edible, green, immature seed pods, but they are also grown as ornamental plants. Pea plants are typically small, growing to heights of about 1-2 feet and are characterized by their bright green, compound leaves. The flowers of pea plants are generally white or pink, and the pods are typically green, but can also be purple or yellow. Pea plants are generally easy to grow and require minimal care, making them a popular choice among gardeners.
Planning Your Garden With Peas
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Peas are an annual plant. |
| USDA Zone | The USDA Hardiness Zone range for peas is 3-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Peas are quite tolerant of cold temperatures and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for peas is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown pea plant is between 1 and 2 feet tall. |
| Spacing requirements | Peas prefer a spacing of 2-3 inches between plants and 12-18 inches between rows. |
| Sun tolerance | Peas are tolerant to full sun, but prefer partial shade in hot climates. They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce an abundant harvest. |
| Shade tolerance | Peas are considered to be moderately shade tolerant. They can tolerate some shade but do best in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Peas need well-drained, moist soil and regular watering. For best results, water peas every 3-4 days, providing 1-2 inches of water per week. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause the peas to rot. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing peas depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing peas is 6.0-7.0. |
Why Peas are Popular
People like to grow peas because they are easy to grow and can be harvested in a short amount of time. Peas are also a great source of vitamins and minerals, and can be eaten raw, cooked, or frozen. Peas are a versatile and tasty addition to any meal.
Companion Plants For Peas
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for peas include:
Common Pests For Peas
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow peas, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- thrips
- aphids
- cabbage loopers
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
