How to Cultivate Early Varieties

The sowing

As soon as the floor warms up a bit and has reached a temperature of 5 degrees, you can sow the early varieties. It is important that the soil is well dried, as the pea seeds rot quickly.

• Sowing depth: 4 to 6 centimeters
• Plant spacing: Depending on the height of growth: 40 centimeters for 40 centimeter high varieties, 80 centimeters for 80 centimeter high varieties.
• Germination time: 1- 2 weeks
• Prefer under glass: Possible from the end of February
• Plant out and sowing in the bed: March to May
• Harvest maturity: After about 2.5 months

The seeds are sown in double rows or in a wide furrow. Place culture protection nets over the peas until they germinate, as birds love to eat the nutritious seeds.

Since peas are climbing plants, they form holder vines. However, not all early varieties necessarily require a climbing aid. How high the plants climb and whether they need bamboo sticks or a trellis is noted on the seed bag.

Watering and fertilizing

Peas are quite frugal and do not need a lot of water. Therefore, do not water too abundantly, especially before the flowers form, as otherwise the butterflies will develop a lot of foliage and produce less fruit. From the moment of flowering, you should ensure uniform soil moisture, but never overwater.

Additional fertilization is not necessary, as the pea supplies itself with the necessary nutrients through nitrogen-collecting nodule bacteria (legumes).

Care until harvest is ready

In order for them to thrive, peas need a loose soil structure. Therefore, chop the bed regularly and use this opportunity to remove annoying weeds.

Early harvest

Early varieties ripen in May. You can recognize mature pods by the tangible balls inside the pod. If the peas are already clearly visible, you should harvest them very quickly. If the legumes have become too big, they no longer taste aromatically sweet, but become unpleasantly floury.

Except with sweet peas the bowl is not eaten. However, this can be removed quickly and easily from the seeds. You can then consume the harvest fresh or by drying, boiling or Freezing make durable.