March is the perfect time to plant green peas in your garden. These plants can withstand cold weather, but it’s the heat that typically causes them to die.
I planted my snap peas this week, and in Middle Tennessee, peas can be planted until mid-March. Green peas thrive in cooler temperatures and usually die off by June. Once they fade, there’s still plenty of time to plant beans or other warm-season vegetables.
Peas are best grown directly from seeds in the ground. I usually plant my peas in tight rows, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. Most pea varieties need around 60 days to fully mature.
There are three main types of green peas: snap, shelling, and snow. Snap peas are eaten whole, pod and all. Snow peas have flat pods with small peas inside. Shelling peas have tough, fibrous shells and need to be shelled before eating.
Peas also vary in height. Some stay dwarf and don’t need a trellis or support, while older varieties, like green beans, need to be staked. These can grow 70-80 inches tall when the weather warms up in April. Make sure you know which type of peas you’re planting to prepare for staking if necessary.
Snap peas are my favorite because my children love picking and eating the pods straight from the garden. They’re great for kids! There are many snap pea varieties, but I recommend ones with “sugar” in the name, like “Sugar Snap,” “Sugar Spring,” and “Sugar Ann.” Snow peas are also a great choice, with “Avalanche” and “Oregon Giant” being good options. For shelling peas, varieties like “Early Alaska,” “Strike,” and “Wando” are excellent.
When it’s time to harvest, be sure to pick peas when the pods are full of peas. You may need to sample a few pods throughout the week to make sure they are ready. Peas can over-mature quickly, so check them daily to avoid missing the perfect harvest time.
