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Early Plantings (Peas and Sweet Peas)

PeasLate winter is the time to plant out garden peas and sweet peas, two of the earliest of all seed crops.

Cool-season crops are generally planted sometime in late February and earliest March west of the Cascades or between late March and up to late April east of the Cascades and in Alaska. Seasonal weather conditions play a big part in determining the actual planting time.

Three of our favorite garden pea varieties (they are also veggie-trial winners) are Eclipse, Oregon Sugar Pod II and Sugar Snap pole. Here are a few of their attributes:

ECLIPSE - YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THIS ONE! A new generation of 'Super Sweet Garden Peas'. This breakthrough was achieved through conventional breeding, NOT through genetic engineering. It is much sweeter than standard garden varieties and holds its sweetness longer before being converted to starch. Ideal for cooking, freezing or eating fresh. It grows as a bush, about 2 to 3 feet high. In our garden, we provide a low support for the vines. 2 pods/node, bearing in mid-season. About 63 days to maturity.

OREGON SUGAR POD II - This edible-pod variety is ideal for stir-fry dishes. Snow peas are crisp, tender and full of flavor. Oregon State University developed this award winning variety. Pods 4 to 4 ½ inches long. Plants grow 2 to 2 ½ feet high. About 60 days to maturity. For easier picking give vines a low trellis on which to grow.

SUGAR SNAP (POLE) - This one is so good it won the All-America 'Gold Medal' award. Superb, thick, edible pods are crisp, tender and very sweet. They're so good that if you start eating them as you pick'em, you'll be lucky if any make it to the kitchen. We like them in salads too! Although this is an edible pod variety, you can also shell the peas. Reaches maturity in about 70 days. They should be planted early.

Here are three of our favorite Sweet Pea varieties. They are excellent choices for the various Northwest climates:

SWEET PEA 'OLD SPICE' - A wonderful collection of old-fashioned varieties that are highly scented and have exceptional heat resistance. Although Sweet Peasthe flowers tend to be somewhat smaller than other modern varieties, their fragrance makes up for it. The flowers are derived from the old, highly scented Eckford series. The vines grow upward of 5 feet and need trellis support.

SWEET PEA 'SUPERSNOOP' - This low growing variety does not need support. An ideal variety to grow in flower beds, borders or planter boxes. The long stemmed flowers appear in a wide range of colors and are ideal for cutting. Very easy to grow. Plants only grow about two feet tall. (In extra rich soil the plants may need a little low support.)

DWARF SWEET PEAS 'LITTLE SWEETHEART' - Fragrant and heat resistant this low growing variety does not need support. It is ideal for borders, container plantings and flowerbeds. It blooms in a bright range of flower colors. Vines grow approximately 12 inches high.

SOWING POINTERS FOR PEAS AND  SWEET PEAS

  1. Prepare fertile soil for garden peas. Compost, processed or well-rotted manure are excellent organic amendments to incorporate with your planting soil.
  2. Make your rows in a north/south direction for best sun exposure and air circulation.
  3. Soak the seeds for an hour or more prior the sowing.
  4. Treat the seeds with a nitrogen inoculant before seeding (to fix the nitrogen in the soil) and hasten germination.
  5. Dig a furrow 4 inches deep, covering the seeds with only 1 inch of soil, then fill in as seedlings develop.
  6. Space seeds about 1 to 2 inches apart in the row.
  7. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart when they are 4 inches high.
  8. Space rows about 24 to 30 inches apart. Bush varieties can be grown in wide rows, spacing the seeds only 2 inches apart in all directions. Pole types can be planted on both sides of the trellis support to double yield.
  9. Seeds usually germinate in 10 to 20 days, depending upon soil moisture and weather conditions.
  10. Sow seeds at 2 to 3 week intervals, until mid-spring for continual harvest. Sow in mid-July for fall harvest.
  11. Be certain to put up trellis support for climbing (pole) varieties, as soon as seedlings are 2 to 4 inches high.
  12. When vines begin to die back, either compost or spade them into the soil.

Get an early start on your gardening season by planting peas and sweet peas!

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