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There’s something about that first little green sprout emerging from the soil that I find so renewing.  It’s a rite of spring for all of us gardeners who can’t wait to get our hands into the dirt and begin the process of planting out our vegetable gardens. And lucky for us that early spring is the time to sow peas!  

March 17^th, St. Patrick’s Day marks the pea season for me – it’s easy for me to remember – “Luck of Irish”, “The Emerald Isle” “Lucky Charms.”  I like to plant both English (aka Garden) and Snap peas from dried peas.  Avid gardeners who are also great planners use peas dried from their previous harvest, but is absolutely okay to purchase dried too (I do). 

Select a sunny, cleared area in front of a fence or trellis.  Sow the pea seeds about an inch to inch ½ into the soil and cover with peat moss or compost – you do not want a heavy soil over the seeds.  Repeat sowing the seeds about an inch to an inch ½ apart.  Keep the seeds watered regularly until you see the sprouts. 

And the sky’s the limit with your base (i.e. trellis).  Have fun with the remaining paint you used for your plant markers.  Who says a trellis can’t be bright blue or red?  Just imagine how your plants will look in front of a fun color.  Have fun too with what your trellis is made of; what about White Birch branches, stalks of bamboo – or a vintage door or window? 

Be sure to monitor your pea plants regularly around May.  As the summer gets hotter the plants will swell quickly and you want to harvest them on the smaller side so they don’t lose their texture and sweetness.   Pea crops come on at once and in abundance.  I like to fill a large basket of peas, put aside some to eat raw and cook within a few days.  The rest of the basketful I will de-pod, blanch and freeze in serving size containers – whether a Tupperware-like container or even in small freezer bags to be enjoyed all year round. 

Normally by June the pea crop is finished and as peas are actually one of the few crops that do not deplete the soil, but actually enrich it with nitrogen, I make good use of it.  With this plot of great soil, why not plant a few late season tomatoes which are sure to be full of flavor.  Thanks peas!   

- Barbara