The pea is a veg which helps the dirt , has an interesting history , is easy to grow , and is a more various food than you might get it on . It is loaded with helpful vitamins , protective phytonutrients that provide antioxidant and anti - inflammatory welfare , protein and fiber . They ’re low in fats but , what they have , are healthy omega-3 fats . Some research ( whfoods.org ) indicates that regular pea uptake may lower the peril of some venter cancers and type-2 diabetes .
The peaPisum sativum , is a member of the legume home , which in addition to intend it has the pea - shaped prime known so well , means that it also “ fixes ” nitrogen in the grease . pea plant have a symbiotic kinship with a bacterium that takes excess nitrogen from the territory . This nitrogen is then stored in nodule on the pea plant roots , to be released as the roots decay . Think of it as an organic informant of dumb - dismission N .
In add-on to storing nitrogen , the roots of pea plants help loosen the ground as they hit out for wet . Once the plant die , merely turn them back into the grunge to refill constitutive matter .
No one know just when peas first became cultivated . Perhaps it was as early as the Stone Age . Peas were a part of the diet during the Bronze Age . They have been found preserve in ancient tombs in the Mideast , go steady back to 1450 BCE . The Chinese trust , in their legends , that pea plant were cultivated 5000 eld ago .
Peas were used extensively in the Middle Ages in Europe . They were one of the first crops the colonist bring in to the New World . Our traditional pea plant is often called the English Pea , as it was in England that the garden pea plant we know today was so extensively bred . You may have heard the name Gregor Mendel , far-famed for his discoveries in genetic science using the pea .
The most important recent advancement in breed peas occurred in 1970 . It was in that year that plant scientist Calvin Lamborn discovered what we know as the eatable pod or crack pea . ‘ Sugar Snap ’ was introduce in 1979 and won a gold medallion in the All - America Selections trial .
There are three types of pea one can discover andgrow , the differences count on when they are harvest , and how they are exhaust . English or shelling pea plant are allow to fully mature in the pod . These are the traditional ones most of us have unfold , take away the peas from inside or “ shelling , ” then cooked without the pod .
Snow pea are glean before the pea plant inwardly are ripe , while they are still quite small . The intact pod is then cook and exhaust . You may have rust these sore in salad bars or in stir - tiddler dishes .
Snap peas can be eaten both ways . They can be harvested like the snow peas , before the peas deep down are matured , and eaten naked or cooked . I screw to eat them right off the vine . Or , they may be provide to mature , as with English peas , then trounce and eaten likewise .
When choose what peas to grow , do n’t just regard these three type . reckon whether you want nanus ( 1 to 2 feet marvellous ) , semi - dwarf ( 2 to 3 feet tall ) , or tall varieties ( 3 to 6 feet tall ) . Also read the descriptions and choose varieties for early , mid , and late age . This way of life you may assure a much long time of year of harvest . Another method of doing this is to make a succession of sowings rather than all at once , each about two weeks apart .
Sow seeds directly outside about four to six weeks prior to the last frost escort – generally about mid to late April in USDAhardiness zone4 ( much of Vermont for instance ) . It is better to choose the sowing date based on soil temperature . The traditional appointment was “ as shortly as the soil can be worked ” since peas originate best in cooler weather . But they germinate much quicker ( 9 sidereal day ) when the soil is 60 arcdegree ( f ) than when it is 40 degrees ( 36 24-hour interval ) . Plus , the filth bacteria that help them germinate are less participating in nerveless soil . So a respectable compromise is to make an early first sowing for an other harvest , then sow in most of your craw when the soil warm .
Sow seeds about 1 to 2 in aside and deep . Sprinkle a bacterial inoculum in the rowing when sow ( available atgarden centersand from mail guild source ) to help plant life better desex N , so develop better . If your soil is fertile with lots ofcompost , you could jump this step .
Taller varieties will require a fence , treillage , or other originative means of support . you could by special pea trellises , mesh net income , or simply use extensive - mesh chicken wire . You also mayneed to surround pea plant seedling with a low fence if you have rabbits foraging nearby .
Fertilize lightly when seedlings are 2 to 4 - in tall with a complete organic fertilizer or fish emulsion . water supply plants well , as you would the rest of your garden , and harvest the fuel pod frequently when they ’re quick . check that to foot pods that may be overripe too as , if left on , they ’ll signal the plant to stop raise pods .
pea plant will stay tonic for several days in the refrigerator vulgar , and shell-less . Keep in a perforated credit card bag , receptive container , or vented fictile green goods container . If you have too many to utilise and want to keep them longer , they can be suspend . Shell the peas , “ blanch ” by dipping in boiling water for one to two minutes to kill harmful pathogen that degrade food for thought , then quickly stop this preparation by dunk them in ice water . They ’ll store in freezer bag for six months or more .
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
