by Dawn E Denmar

Created on: November 07, 2010

Growing peas in the UK is fairly simple, as peas are a traditional British vegetable. Indeed, according to the BBC website peas are the most popular green vegetable in Britain. Technically though peas are not a vegetable anyway, they are a legume (dry fruits which develop from a single carpel and open along a seam).

* How to grow peas in Britain

Peas are well suited to the cooler British climate, in fact most varieties of peas will not produce pods at temperatures above 70 degrees, so they can be grown anywhere in the Briitsh Isles with ease, particularly during Spring and early Summer months.

Peas will grow in most soil types, although they will thrive in a well-dug soil with plenty of organic matter. If the soil is too rich, however, they will only produce a mass of leafy growth and will not produce a good pea crop. As peas prefer moist soil, it is advisable not to plant them too near walls or fences. Ideally they should be planted in sunny spots, but will grow in partial shade. Interspersing radishes around peas is an efficient means of utilising space in the garden and as the radishes are quick-growing they will be an indicator of where the pea plants are and also tolerate the shade created by the growing pea plants.

There are several varieties of pea, some of which are hard and can be used for autumn or late winter sowings.

Peas should be sown straight into the ground in rows about two inches deep and three inches apart. If your soil is acid, then spread lime onto the surface to make it more alkali. Once the seeds have been sown, firm the soil down and cover with nets, to protect the young seedlings from birds. As soon as the first pea tendrils begin to appear then support with canes or twiggy sticks. The pea patch will need regular weeding and ideally mulching when the plants are about six inches tall. Water the peas when the weather is dry, particularly if the plants are flowering or in pod. Pea pods should be harvested before they become too large and fibrous.

For successful pea harvesting, sow different varieties of peas from early Spring and sow every two weeks for a continuous supply. Hardy varieties of peas can be sowns in late Winter in cloches or cold frames. Peas do not grow well if overcrowded, so space seeds out carefully.

See: BBC: How to Grow Peas

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