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Pea

Pea

Pisum sativum

Basic Information

🌿 Family: Fabaceae

πŸ—ΊοΈ Zone: 2-11

Other Names:

  • Garden Pea
  • Green Pea

🌑️ Ideal Temperature : 55Β°F – 70Β°F

πŸ”₯ Heat Tolerance: Up to 85Β°F

❄️ Cold Tolerance: Down to 20Β°F

🌱 Type: Annual

Layers

  • Herbaceous

Functions

  • Edible
  • Nitrogen Fixer
  • Ground Cover

Pests

No pests associated with this plant.

Companions

Plants to Avoid

Description

Peas (*Pisum sativum*) are annual, cool-season legumes known for their climbing habit, utilizing tendrils to support themselves on trellises or other structures. They produce white, pink, or purple flowers that develop into pods containing multiple seeds. Peas thrive in full sun and well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6 and 7.5. They prefer consistent moisture but are sensitive to waterlogged conditions.

βœ‚οΈπŸ«˜ Methods to Propagate:
- **Direct Seeding:** Sow seeds directly into the soil as soon as it is workable in early spring, approximately 2.5 cm deep and 5 cm apart. In regions with mild winters, a fall planting is also possible.

πŸŒžπŸ’§ Sun and Water Requirements:
- **Sun:** Full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily).
- **Water:** Regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding waterlogged conditions.

πŸ§‘β€πŸŒΎπŸ‘©β€πŸŒΎ When to Harvest:
- Harvest edible-pod varieties when pods are young and tender, before seeds fully develop.
- For shelling peas, pick when pods are plump, but seeds are still tender.
- Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

Purpose

- **Edible:** Peas provide a nutritious food source rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- **Nitrogen Fixer:** Through symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria, peas enrich soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
- **Ground Cover:** Dense foliage helps suppress weeds and protect soil from erosion.