Pea plants are a good choice if you are looking for an easy vegetable to cultivate. They were on of the first vegetables to be cultivated. Pea plants mature quite quickly and are well worth the time and effort you put into growing them. Many varieties exist including snow peas, shelling peas, snap peas and sugar pod peas.

There are a variety of pea plants available, and they are often sorted by size. Tall varieties grow up to five feet, semi-dwarf varieties grow between two and four feet, and the dwarf kind reach no more than two feet.

Many varieties are ready for harvesting once the peas have grown inside the pod. This can be determined by gently squeezing the pod to feel the peas inside. Keep in mind the pea themselves are not the only edible part of the plant. The leaves and vines can be included in stir-fries to create delicious cuisines.

Starting a pea plant

When you are considering starting this vegetable in your garden, you may do so once the soil can be worked. If started when the ground is too cold, the plant may not show growth until the soil has warmed up. Pea plants do not grow well in wet or cold conditions.  Look to maintain a soil PH 6.0 to 6.5. This range provides the best soil conditions for rapid, healthy growth.

To assist the pea plants into becoming tall and strong, provide them with some form of support they can wrap their vines around. Fencing, mesh, or a trellis will work just fine. You can make use of almost anything sturdy and tall. If you are planting more than one pea plant, plant them in rows that are three to four inches apart.