VegetableAnnualEasy

Pea

Pisum sativum

Family: Fabaceae

Pea grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water needs: Moderate; keep evenly moist during flowering and pod development.

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Plant reference images showing growth stages and identifying features.

Pea plant — **Plant**
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Credit: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@yahoo.com or write on my talk page , for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved. Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract . · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pea leaves — **Leaves**
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Credit: Chmee2 · Source · CC BY 3.0

Pea flower — **Flower**
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Credit: Kolforn ( Kolforn ) I'd appreciate if you could mail me (Kolforn@gmail.com) if you want to use this picture out of the Wikimedia project scope. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. You are free: to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work to remix – to adapt the work Under the following conditions: attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 CC BY-SA 4.0 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 true true · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pea fruit — **Fruit**
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Credit: Roger Culos · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0

How to Grow Pea

Pea growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun to partial shade, soil conditions listed as Fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a soil pH of 6.0-7.5, and Moderate; keep evenly moist during flowering and pod development water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 2-11 as an annual crop. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Pea as 7-14 days, with planting or establishment depth listed as 1-2 inches. Days to maturity are listed as 55-75 days depending on variety.

Plant Overview

Pea (Pisum sativum) is listed in the Fabaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID: PLT-0030
Family: Fabaceae
Plant type: Vegetable
Life cycle: Annual
Alternate names: Garden pea; English pea
Growth habit: Cool-season climbing or bushy vine with tendrils and edible pods or seeds
Mature height: Bush types about 1-3 ft; climbing types commonly 4-6 ft
Mature spread: About 8-12 in per plant
Difficulty: Easy

Growing Conditions

Pea is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep evenly moist during flowering and pod development. The database soil reference is Fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.5, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones: 2-11 as an annual crop
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Water needs: Moderate; keep evenly moist during flowering and pod development
Plant spacing: 2-4 in between plants; climbing varieties benefit from trellis support

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is 7-14 days and the seed depth is 1-2 inches. The listed time to maturity is 55-75 days depending on variety. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination: 7-14 days
Germination temperature: 40-75°F; best germination around 50-65°F
Seed depth: 1-2 inches
Sowing method: Direct sow outdoors in cool weather as soon as soil is workable
Start indoors: Usually unnecessary, though short-season growers may start in biodegradable containers
Transplanting: If transplanted, move young plants carefully to avoid root disturbance

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity: 55-75 days depending on variety
Harvest: Harvest shelling peas when pods are full but still tender; pick snow and snap peas while pods remain crisp
Propagation: Seed
Seed saving: Allow healthy pods to mature and dry on the vine, then shell and store thoroughly dried seed
Pollination: Primarily self-pollinating, though insects may visit flowers

Garden Information

Common pests: Aphids, pea weevils, cutworms, leafminers, slugs
Common diseases: Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot, downy mildew, pea mosaic viruses
Uses: Fresh eating, steaming, soups, stir-fry, freezing, drying

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Growing Reference Note

Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.