Shelling peas
Pisum sativum
Also known asEnglish peas · Garden peas · Sweet peas (the edible kind, not the toxic flower Lathyrus) · Petits pois
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 2–9 (winter low around -46°C)
- Frost
- frost hardy
- Season
- cool (spring/fall)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| vegetative | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.6 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.8 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.8 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A cool-season legume for hydroponic media beds or container systems with trellis. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.5. Temperature: 10–22°C (cool-season; heat above 25°C reduces yield and sweetness). Moderate light (DLI 14-20 mol/m2/day). Trellis or netting for climbing varieties (60–180 cm depending on variety). From seed to harvest: 60-70 days. Harvest when pods are plump and bright green but before the peas inside become starchy (test by eating one). The harvest window is narrow: 3-5 days of optimal sweetness before the peas toughen. Shell immediately after picking and eat, freeze, or cook within hours for best quality. Each plant produces moderate yields; a large planting is needed for a meaningful fresh-pea harvest. The labor of shelling is the main barrier to production. For the freshest possible peas (incomparably better than frozen), grow your own.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Origin | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | heirloom | 65 | 1908 American heirloom, the classic shelling pea. Bush type, 75 cm tall, productive, heat-tolerant for a pea. The home garden standard. | |
| Green Arrow | open pollinated | 70 | 1973 British variety. Long pods, 9-11 peas per pod (high count for the size). Disease-resistant. Productive. | |
| Wando | open pollinated | USDA, 1943 | 70 | Heat-tolerant; sets pods in temperatures that shut down other varieties. The variety to grow for late-spring planting in zones 6-7. |
| Snow Peas (Oregon Sugar Pod II) | open pollinated | 65 | Snow pea variety, flat pods eaten whole before peas develop. Listed here for cross-reference; technically the same species as shelling peas, different cultivar group. |