Plants such as beans and peas are relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice if you are a new gardener or just acquired a new garden plot. These legumes also have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, meaning they improve the nutrients in the soil. Follow these instructions below to grow your beans—then eat them off the vine and you'll see how delicious they are!
How to grow peas is part of a series of tutorials on growing beans and peas, which also include Preparing for Planting Beans, Preparing for Planting Peas, Planting Beans and Peas, If you want to know how to grow peas, follow this illustrated tutorial on growing beans and peas from the Production Department.
How to grow peas
1Choose a good location. Although peas generally require full sun, at least 6 hours a day, they also like cooler weather. If you live in a hot area, you'll want to plant your peas in an area with dappled sunlight or some shade during the hottest parts of the day. (A site with trees or hedges is ideal because the growing leaves will provide more shade when the weather gets hotter.) - Make a sun map to determine where your yard or patio will be. Some are best for growing peas.
2Choose a variety of peas based on your taste and location. Each type of pea will have different light, space, growing methods and harvesting requirements, not to mention different flavors. Additionally, some tall pea varieties require support from a trellis (which provides the most vertical growing space), while other varieties grow more compactly (without casting long shadows elsewhere in the garden). There are three main types of peas: - English peas (also known as garden peas) only grow as seeds and must be shelled after harvest. There are two varieties, high and low.
- Sugar peas grow fresh, flat pods and seeds. There is no need to remove the shells as the pods are completely edible, but the tender ones taste best. There are two varieties, high and low.
- Sweet peas also grow seeds and pods, but they are thicker than sugar peas and feel more like snap beans. Only the taller varieties require trellising.
Materials that may be used
- Soil (land or pot)
- Pea or bean seeds
- A pole, net or fence around which to grow
- A gentle Sprinklers, such as watering cans or hose-type sprinklers that produce "rain"
DIY Tips
- If you have too many ripe pods, wait until they become really ripe (i.e. the stems start to dry out, or the pods crack), pick and open them, and place the seeds in a cool, dry place Place to dry. Next year, keep planting those seeds!
- It should be noted that farmers should water peas with 70ml of water every two days.
- Consider companion planting to improve soil and crop health.
- A good planning option is to visit a nearby nursery or seed store to get experience and advice from someone with expertise. Local nursery growers know the local climate and soil better than you can from a gardening book, and they can help recommend suitable planting times and varieties.
Notes
- If you see little bugs on your peas - green or brown ones (aphids), small white flies (bemisia tabaci), or what look like white fuzz on the underside of the leaves (another whitefly) lice) – at least wash them away with water and soap. If it has spread to a branch, cut off the branch and throw it away, then wash the surrounding branches; if it has spread to an entire plant, pull up the entire plant and throw it away. Different plants have different weaknesses, so check a gardening book to learn about other diseases and pests that can affect peas and beans.
- Most peas and beans are affected by powdery mildew and other pests. If you see a white film or dust on some leaves, cut off the affected branch, even if it has peas or flowers, and throw it away. Do not compost or leave it near any surrounding plants. Its easier to deal with an infestation if its caught early, but if most of the plant is infected, pull it up and throw it away whole. Then take care of the plants near it. If the infestation is severe, don't plant peas or tomatoes next year; otherwise they will be infected from the start. If you don't treat the infestation, the leaves and stems will begin to dry out and turn brown (much like a plant dies from heat or old age), and the entire plant will die quickly (possibly spreading mold to other nearby plants!).
- In early stages of infestation, 9Dilute it with 1 part water and 1 part milk powder and spray it on the bottom and top of the plants once a week or two. This will neutralize the infestation in its early stages and will prevent it from further infestation. A solution of apple cider vinegar or a small amount of baking soda can also deter pests. Seize the opportunity to stop an infestation from spreading before it reaches an advanced stage.
- Don’t plant the same crop in the same place for more than one or two years; rotate crops to prevent the development of soil-borne diseases.
Growing beans and peas
How to grow beans. Illustrated tutorial on growing beans and peas
How to grow beans and peas. Picture tutorial of growing beans and peas
