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Peas are one of the earliest vegetables that can be planted in the garden after the winter snows melt and the ground can be worked; or they can be one of the last crops planted in late summer. They are easy to grow, an important addition in many recipes or served as an individual dish, and provide a host of health benefits.

Peas, are legumes and supply eight different vitamins, including vitamin K1, an important vitamin for bone health, the vitamin B complex, and vitamins A and C, seven different minerals, dietary fiber and proteins.

There are upwards of 1,000 known varieties of peas, one of the earliest crops grown since the beginning of written records. The Greeks and Romans cultivated the legume; it was an important crop throughout the Middle Ages and later, in colonial America.

While there are many varieties available, there are basically three kinds of peas, English, snap peas and sugar peas. They can be bush plants, which still like a little support in the garden, or a vine crop plant so they can grow up a fence or a trellis. Each variety has a particular purpose, fresh eating, canning and freezing, or for use in soup.

In general, the majority of peas are cold weather crops and do not produce well during the heat of summer. Early or late freezes or snowfalls don't bother the plant. Maturity dates range anywhere between 50 to 80 days. In this northern garden Zone 5A, peas planted generally around the first day of spring, March 21st, are in full production around Memorial Day or even before, depending on weather conditions.

Peas, like the vast majority of vegetables, like fertile soil. The plants thrive when compost or organic fertilizers are added, but be sure to mix well the fertilizers used into the soil. Peas also like well drained soil and planted in a sunny garden location.

Peas do best in raised beds or soil which has been mounded to avoid water clogging. The two critical times when water can reduce yields is during flowering and the time period when the pods begin to swell. After that, they are not very fussy.

There are recommendations to soak the seeds overnight before planting. In this location, however, a US Zone 5A, the weather is usually wet in the early spring and the same is true in late summer. Just check the seven day long range weather forecast and make a guess-estimate decision. Soaking the seed means a quicker sprout, but they are going to sprout regardless.

Pea roots gather nitrogen from the soil, so in general nitrogen applications are unnecessary. Avoid planting where other nitrogen fixing plants (legumes), like beans. grew before. The pea plant does best when the soil Ph is 6.5; an application of lime then should be be considered to increase the yield.

Weeding is also important for the pea plant, similar to most garden vegetables. Particular care should be used as not to damage any of the roots of the plant.

In this Zone 5A location, the vine type peas seem to do the best and result in heavier yields. There are a number of different varieties available. One personal preference is a variety called, Alaska, which works good here. It is an early pea, about 50 -55 days depending on weather conditions, it produces good harvests, doesn't mind a cold snap or two, and is easier to pick off of a fence, saving garden space. There are a lot of other vine types available to choose from which may suit your location better.

Like any garden vegetable, it is a lot of trial and error. It is always a good step to research what is the best variety for a certain locale and determine how you want to use the harvest. After that, it is basic garden common sense to plant. pick and enjoy one of the healthiest and easiest vegetables to grow.

Learn more about this author, Greg Spinks.
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