How to grow peas in open ground

How to grow peas in open ground? It seems to be simple. Poked seeds in the middle of May in the ground, then gathered all the pods at once and ready. Well, it can be so, if it is for cattle feed. But for yourself, beloved ones, is it really impossible to try a little? After all, then the trouble is less, the grains are sweeter, the harvest is greater. And just something you need to slightly change the usual rhythm of planting peas, and read the recommendations.

When to plant peas

It is a mistake to assume that peas should be planted only in the middle or end of May. No, of course, no one forbids doing this. But, if you want to get the first crop as early as possible, then boldly sow peas at a soil temperature of + 2 ° C. At the same time, plantings can withstand short-term frosts right down to -7 ° C!

In the middle lane it is the middle or end of April. And with the current climate change, you can try to plant in early April. In the end, what makes it difficult to cover the bed with non-woven material during a sharp cooling?

But just at that time there is still a lot of moisture in the soil, and peas like to drink at any age.

In order to get a stable bean crop all season, it is recommended not to plant the entire prepared area at once. Sow one bed every 2 weeks, starting in April and ending in mid-July. So you will surely be provided with juicy sweet peas for the entire period.

Tip. To obtain peas for grain (for long-term storage), it is advisable to sow it at once all at once. So you do not have to collect a few pods per day.

Do you need to soak the peas before planting

In addition, if you were late with a landing, and the spring winds managed to dry the soil, then the soaked peas can simply dry out before they can get up.

But, if you choose an early landing in moist soil, you can soak the peas in a solution of a biostimulant. Or just in clear water. Usually 10 hours is more than enough for the seeds to swell well. Just do not forget to change the solution or water 2 times during this time so that the fermentation process does not have time to start.

Tip. In water for soaking, you can put a piece of aloe leaf. This is a very good biostimulant. It activates the seed's own vitality.

Where to plant peas

Remember how our parents or grandmothers did. They simply poked peas along the paths or along the edges of the beds. So the landing grew, as necessary. But we need quality! Therefore, take the trouble to select a separate pea bed. Soil fertility does not matter. For nodule bacteria on the roots will help the plant provide itself with nutrition.

But the groundwater level is very important. Because the central root of the pea goes far deep. And if he stumbles on water, then from an excess of moisture can begin to rot and hurt.

It would also be nice to provide the landings with good lighting. In the shade, the plants will be long, thin and flimsy. Of course, you won’t have to wait for a good harvest from them.

Tip. Plant peas on the south side of the corn bed. Then he will get warmth, protection from the winds and an excellent natural support.

How far to plant peas

Various sources indicate the distance between the seeds from 4 to 6 cm. But take a closer look at the bush. Although it is a liana, but with powerful side shoots and wide leaves. The lion's share of the crop is lost due to thickened plantings. Such peas are more often affected by diseases and pests.

Plant peas from each other at a distance of at least 10-12 cm. Give plantings a little freedom. Try to conduct such an experiment on one bed, then compare the results. I assure you, they will surprise you.

The distance between the rows should not be less than 25 cm for the same reason as described above.

Tip. Some sources advise to plant peas in a checkerboard pattern. No doubt, shoots with this method look beautiful, no matter how you look. But, when the time for garter comes ... Do not complicate your work, plant in familiar rows.

How to sow peas

First you need to prepare a bed. It is necessary to draw grooves with a depth of not more than 10 cm. Then carefully spill them with a very hot strong solution of potassium permanganate. In this case, planting is done no earlier than 12 hours after the soil disinfection procedure. Better the next day.

A layer of well-rotted compost, about 3 cm thick, is poured at the bottom of the grooves. Then they are numbed with a small amount of wood ash. Gently mix with the ground and again carefully shed the grooves with clean water.

Now you can decompose the swollen peas. Then they are sprinkled with ordinary soil, so that the seeds are at a depth of not more than 5 cm. From above, the bed can be carefully tamped. Only without fanaticism, this is not asphalt, but just peas!

Tip. Before the first shoots appear, put a scarecrow nearby or pull a special mesh over the beds. Because birds really like to pick peas from the ground. You can put your cat as a watchman.

How often to water peas

Peas are a moisture-loving plant, but not moisture-resistant. This means that you need to water it regularly, but you can not fill it up to a marshy state.

Focus on the condition of the soil around the stem. If it is dry to a depth of more than 5 cm - feel free to water the plantings. In normal summer, usually two good irrigation per week is sufficient.

Tip. Do not look at the leaves. Yellow - this does not mean the plant asks to drink. This is usually a sign of either aging or an onset of the disease.

How to care for peas

Planting sweet peas does not require any special treatment.

1. Hilling. It is carried out once, when young shoots reach a height of 12-15 cm. This allows the plants to more firmly gain a foothold in the soil. Spud to a height of not more than 7-9 cm.
2. Weeding. At first, when the plants are too small, we recommend regularly weeding them. Then, when the rapidly growing bushes close in rows, such a measure is no longer required. With its large volume of green mass, peas will simply clog all the weeds.
3. Loosening. It is required after each watering. Again, only before closing the tops in the rows. Then it will establish its own microclimate and the earth will not be crusted after rains.
4. Garter. Required. The earlier the better. You do not have time to look back, and the stems already fall to the ground under the weight of their pods. Here's another concern - to clean off the dirt from them after each watering and wash thoroughly before eating! Do you need it? In addition, plants lying on the ground pick up diseases much faster. You can just stick the pegs at the edges of the beds and pull a special mesh with wide cells, about 10 by 10 cm. Or even easier - tie the most ordinary wire. When planting next to a corn strip, the need for this disappears.
5. Pests. Not only do people like to enjoy crispy juicy pods. Peas are loved by many insects. Manually collecting them is unrealistic, you can not spray with industrial preparations.What to do? As always, folk wisdom comes to the rescue. The affected plants are sprayed with infusions of strongly smelling plants. This will scare away uninvited guests. Usually used infusions of garlic, onion husks, orange peels, wormwood. Additionally, you can sprinkle the plants with well-sifted ash or fine dust from tobacco. The insects don’t really like this, and it doesn’t do any harm to people,
6. The disease. Pea plantings in the open ground are sometimes affected by viral or fungal diseases. Modern industry has not yet come up with decent measures to get rid of such a scourge without the use of chemicals. But folk wisdom will help here. Instead of spraying, a cardinal, but very effective solution is proposed. You need to tear the diseased plant with the root, take it out of the area and just burn it. Hard, but it works. And it is better to burn one, two sickly bushes than to waste time on tinctures that poorly help in the fight against viruses and fungi. While you open your mouth and conjure with liquids, the rest of the planting will fall ill. Then you have to throw away absolutely everything. Plus, you will need to thoroughly disinfect the earth. And this is the introduction of additional chemistry. And it does not smile at all.

When to pick peas

The timing of the pod harvesting depends on your goals. If you need green juicy peas, then you will have to pick pods every two to three days. As a rule, they are frozen or canned.

If it is necessary that the peas are fully ripe and well stored in the future, then they break off the pods much less often. The first sign of ripening is the appearance on them of a characteristic pattern in the form of a net. After collection, they must be husked and only then dried. So you can see all the damage and they will not get to your table.

Tip. Peel the peas carefully. Be sure to hold the stems. They are very tender and break easily. Often with a pod in the hand is a good half of the bush. But she could bring a harvest for a long time.

Useful Tips

1. To get an even earlier crop, plant peas in seedlings. At the end of March, sow in containers or pots, and after a month you can already transplant to a permanent place in the open ground.
2. Do not plant peas next to potatoes, tomatoes or eggplant. They are very fond of the Colorado potato beetle. So you have to use insecticides. And no matter how you try, the poison will still fall on the pods and leaves of peas. After that, you can’t eat it.
3. For the same reason, it is not worth sowing peas in the trunk circles of any trees. No doubt, they serve as an excellent support for curly stems. But in the spring or summer, sometimes you have to process the trees from various pests. Where is the guarantee that drops of poison did not get on pea plantings?
4. Do not plant peas in heavily manicured pre-beds. Or those in which compost was made last year. A gluttonous plant will grow into a powerful vine with chic leaves, but flowering will be very meager.
5. To get a large number of pods, pinch the tops of the shoots. Do not discard these young leaves. They are very tasty in green salads.
6. After you collect the last crop, do not rush to tear out unnecessary bushes. Trim them above the ground. The remaining roots until the frost will provide the soil with nitrogen.

How to grow peas in open ground? As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this. You can provide yourself and your household a healthy and tasty treat without any hassle.

Video: planting sprouted peas in the ground