English peas
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digitS'
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The Pulse of the Palouse . . . 
.
The farmers of the Palouse Hills in eastern WA and northern ID have tens of thousands of acres of dry peas, lentils and chickpeas each year, Seedcorn.
Honestly, I don't know it that means this is a wonderful place to grow them or that they just can't grow much else. It is probably a mix of reasons but it provides them with a niche and with so much soft wheat going to countries where they also make good use of the pulses, they have the trade networks.
I don't have much trouble growing peas but they still don't produce much and, checking the yield information on the extension websites, it doesn't seem peas produce all that much in any garden . .. We still like 'em!
I was kind of happy to find Green Arrow. It is a common variety and just seems to have much nicer pods than some of the others that I used to grow.
These might not be Green Arrow, I don't suppose, but confirms what was said on "Good Eats:"
from Wikipedia
Steve
.The farmers of the Palouse Hills in eastern WA and northern ID have tens of thousands of acres of dry peas, lentils and chickpeas each year, Seedcorn.
Honestly, I don't know it that means this is a wonderful place to grow them or that they just can't grow much else. It is probably a mix of reasons but it provides them with a niche and with so much soft wheat going to countries where they also make good use of the pulses, they have the trade networks.
I don't have much trouble growing peas but they still don't produce much and, checking the yield information on the extension websites, it doesn't seem peas produce all that much in any garden . .
. We still like 'em!I was kind of happy to find Green Arrow. It is a common variety and just seems to have much nicer pods than some of the others that I used to grow.
These might not be Green Arrow, I don't suppose, but confirms what was said on "Good Eats:"
from Wikipedia
Steve
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Seedcorn, it may be the variety but it can also be the timing of when you plant it.
They can be planted a full month before the last frost of spring. Give the seedbed some protective cover. The seeds will sprout at cooler temps than things like corn or beans, but too cold will give poor germination, so it's a different mindset. I plant them using white plastic with holes for the seeds and use no other protection, but in a colder area a small frame and cover over them temporarily will sure help.
Peas enjoy growing in the cooler weather of the early season like that.
Probably you can try planting some a week apart for a month starting 2 months before your last frost, up to a couple weeks after your last frost to discover when is best to plant for your microclimate.
You also might want to try several varieties. Alaska does make smaller pods with fewer seeds in them, but is real sweet and tasty, plus real quick, and 2 or 3 feet tall. Alderman Tall Telephone grows taller and makes large pods. I understand there are some newer varieties that are similar but better than Alderman. I think one is called something like Mr. Big.
It is true that better growth makes bigger pods with more seeds in them. Better growth for peas usually means nice cool moist growing conditions.
Peas prefer naturally fertile soil and usually do not grow any better if fertilizer, even organic fertilizer, is used. If the soil needs it, a little bit of bone meal added this time of year to feed the soil organisms is the time to add it.
They can be planted a full month before the last frost of spring. Give the seedbed some protective cover. The seeds will sprout at cooler temps than things like corn or beans, but too cold will give poor germination, so it's a different mindset. I plant them using white plastic with holes for the seeds and use no other protection, but in a colder area a small frame and cover over them temporarily will sure help.
Peas enjoy growing in the cooler weather of the early season like that.
Probably you can try planting some a week apart for a month starting 2 months before your last frost, up to a couple weeks after your last frost to discover when is best to plant for your microclimate.
You also might want to try several varieties. Alaska does make smaller pods with fewer seeds in them, but is real sweet and tasty, plus real quick, and 2 or 3 feet tall. Alderman Tall Telephone grows taller and makes large pods. I understand there are some newer varieties that are similar but better than Alderman. I think one is called something like Mr. Big.
It is true that better growth makes bigger pods with more seeds in them. Better growth for peas usually means nice cool moist growing conditions.
Peas prefer naturally fertile soil and usually do not grow any better if fertilizer, even organic fertilizer, is used. If the soil needs it, a little bit of bone meal added this time of year to feed the soil organisms is the time to add it.
digitS'
Garden Master
I have gotten into trouble with planting seed too early - poor germination. I think soil temperature can be a fairly good guide with peas. They go in somewhat deep and if some of those wrinkled-seed varieties don't grow, the seed must just rot.
Lately, I've been fairly good about putting down some organic fertilizer before sowing the seed. I don't know if "good" is the right word. The peas probably make very little use of it in that cool ground. However, bean seed goes in hot-on-the-heels of the peas each year! Sometimes, there's very little time for them to produce a crop and I want them to grow without a hitch.
Something I like to use to follow the pea/bean beds in the following season are either tomatoes or summer squash (sometimes, sweet corn). All that well-fertilized soil can be a real benefit for them.
Yes, a cool start to the peas' growing season -- no question that this is the norm for this neck of the woods. I have a feeling that may be a problem for you some years, Seedcorn.
Steve
Lately, I've been fairly good about putting down some organic fertilizer before sowing the seed. I don't know if "good" is the right word. The peas probably make very little use of it in that cool ground. However, bean seed goes in hot-on-the-heels of the peas each year! Sometimes, there's very little time for them to produce a crop and I want them to grow without a hitch.
Something I like to use to follow the pea/bean beds in the following season are either tomatoes or summer squash (sometimes, sweet corn). All that well-fertilized soil can be a real benefit for them.
Yes, a cool start to the peas' growing season -- no question that this is the norm for this neck of the woods. I have a feeling that may be a problem for you some years, Seedcorn.
Steve
Hal
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Peas vary quite a lot between varieties, I have been doing breeding work with them here in Australia. Question is are you getting seeds that don't form or abort mid way through forming? Are your pods full?seedcorn said:
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seedcorn
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Assume they are full. Honestly never paid much attention. Just pick, shell & shell & shell and finally eat. Why I switched to edible paid peas, no shelling. I know, lazy. I prefer time conservative.Hal said:
Hal
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It was probably the variety you were growing then. Look into some of the european varieties if interested, there are some older varieties that have rather big pods with high seed count.
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TheSeedObsesser
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I'm trying Blue Podded and Golden Sweet next year. Look around, read descriptions. SSE has many older varieties of peas-
http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/pea/
http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/pea/
Hal
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Okay I did some poking around trying to find what was easily available in the US since I was not sure on importation rules when it comes to peas.
If you want high seed count per pod for shelling peas try:
Telephone/Alderman (up to 10 per pod)
Laxton's Progress no.9 (up to 9 per pod hence the name)
Maestro Improved (Up to 12 per pod)
Green Arrow/Greenshaft (up to 11 per pod) This one was mentioned by digitS and is available here in Australia where I live and is worth growing.
Remember these are maximum seed counts per pod and not guaranteed for every pod/set of growing conditions.
I hope this is of some help.
One last thing the Golden Sweet that TheSeedObsesser mentioned I grow it every year, I love the purple speckled seeds, yellow pods, yellow stems and colored flowers the plants are just so nice.
Once again a little off topic but if you both like snow peas get Yakumo Giant, the pods are about 6 inches long and the flavour is splendid!
I crossed it with Golden Sweet so I could get a 6 inch yellow snow pea that tastes great.
If you want high seed count per pod for shelling peas try:
Telephone/Alderman (up to 10 per pod)
Laxton's Progress no.9 (up to 9 per pod hence the name)
Maestro Improved (Up to 12 per pod)
Green Arrow/Greenshaft (up to 11 per pod) This one was mentioned by digitS and is available here in Australia where I live and is worth growing.
Remember these are maximum seed counts per pod and not guaranteed for every pod/set of growing conditions.
I hope this is of some help.
One last thing the Golden Sweet that TheSeedObsesser mentioned I grow it every year, I love the purple speckled seeds, yellow pods, yellow stems and colored flowers the plants are just so nice.
Once again a little off topic but if you both like snow peas get Yakumo Giant, the pods are about 6 inches long and the flavour is splendid!
I crossed it with Golden Sweet so I could get a 6 inch yellow snow pea that tastes great.
