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Peas are legumes (see Fertilizer below) and are a cool season crop that may be planted as early in the spring as the soil becomes tillable. Pea seed will germinate well at soil temperatures as low as 50°F, but germination is slow. Extended periods of cool, wet weather during the germination period may cause rotting of the seed. For this reason, fertile, well-drained, sandy soils should be selected for early plantings. Finer-textured soils with high moisture-holding capacities are preferred for late spring crops. The use of treated seed is helpful in overcoming the problem of seed decay.
VarietiesEdible Podded or Snow Pea
English or Garden Pea
Midseason
Late
Sugar Pea or Sugar Snap
DM: Downy Mildew tolerant Spacing and SeedingSeeding rates for peas vary considerably depending on the size of the seed. For fresh market, peas should be spaced 1-1/2” to 2” between seeds and 24” to 36” between rows at a seeding rate of 90 to 150 lb/A (about 1lb per 100 feet of row) in 24” to 36” rows. TrellisingNylon mesh netting using twister bands to attach to 2”x 2” stakes makes a good trellis for tall varieties. At least a 6’-high trellis is needed for Sugar Snap. A double row can be planted for more efficient use of netting. LimeApply lime according to soil test results to maintain soil pH at 6.5 to 6.8. FertilizerMost research sugests that 20 to 30 lb of nitrogen per acre should be available at planting time, but that higher levels are not helpful. Peas can fix anywhere from 50 to 300 lbs. of nitrogen per acre, depending on plant density and availability of the appropriate species of Rhizobium bacteria. These bacteria, if present, live in root nodules of legumes, including peas, and convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms available to plants. This process is called “nitrogen fixing.” Nitrogen fixed in this manner is used more effectivley than applied nitrogen. Therefore, plant vigor and production may be higher when the seed is inoclulated with the appropriate species of Rhizobium bacterium. Inoculant can be purchased from most seed companies and should be listed in their catalogs. It is usually applied by mixing it with the seed at planting time. Pea inoclulants are the same as those for vetches and lentils. Those used for alfalfa, beans or clovers will not work with peas. If peas or vetch have recently been grown in the field, inoculation may not be necessary. Note that many seed treatments may be toxic to the inoculant.
Weed ControlNOTE: For the herbicides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 17 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. Stale Seedbedglyphosate (Roundup 4S): 1 to 5 pt/A (REI 12h, Group 9). See Stale Seedbed Technique. Soil Appliedtrifluralin (Trilin 4EC): 1 to 1 1/2 pt/A (REI 12h, Group 3). Incorporate before planting and within six hours of application. Especially effective for annual grass. Postemergenceclethodim (Select 2EC): 6 to 8 oz/A (20 dh, REI 24h, Group 1). Apply to actively growing grasses. See label for grass height and herbicide rate. Always use a crop oil concentrate at a rate of 1 gal/100 gal spray mix. See both container label and any supplemental label available from dealer. bentazon (Basagran 4E): 1 1/2 to 2 pt/A (REI 48h, Group 6). Do not apply until peas have at least three pairs of leaves (or four nodes). Do not add oil to bentazon for use on peas. Do not apply to chick peas (garbanzo beans). Insect ControlNOTE: For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 20 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. Corn Earworm and Fall ArmywormFor more information, see sweet corn section. Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari): 1/2 to 2 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). OMRI listed. Treat small 1st and 2nd instar FAW larvae. bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A (3 dh fresh, 14 dh dry, REI 12h, Group 3A). gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (7 dh for fresh, 21 dh dry, REI 24h, Group 3A). methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 16 oz/A for FAW, 10 to 16 oz/A for CEW (7 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Use lower rates when plants are small or infestations are light. Insect growth regulator. Works on all instars. Feeding stops within hours but death takes several days. pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). CutwormsCaterpillars hide under the soil surface adjacent to the plant stem during the day and feed on stems after dark. For best results, make application between midnight and dawn while cutworms are feeding aboveground. Synthetic pyrethroids (Group 3A) may work best during cool spring weather. See cutworms in the Pepper and Tomato (Outdoor) sections for more information on the black and variegated cutworms. esfenvalerate (Asana* XL): 5.8 to 9.6 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 1.9 to 3.2 oz/A (7 dh for fresh, 21 dh dry, REI 24h, Group 3A). May be applied before, during or after planting. pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 1.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh fresh, 21 dh dry, REI 12h, Group 3A). Pea AphidThe pea aphid is light green with unusually long legs and cornicles (tail pipe-like projections). It is the primary aphid that attacks peas, fava beans and lentils. This aphid overwinters as an egg on alfalfa, vetch, and clover and moves to peas in the spring. Live females nymphs are produced throughout most of the year. Females take 12 days to mature and produce up to 150 nymphs. There are between 13-20 generations per year. Populations tend to be lower after cold, snowless winters or springs with persistent wet weather. Infestations during the bloom and early pod stages will reduce yield and crop quality by removing plant sap, impairing pod appearance, reducing seed fill, impairing nitrogen fixation and by the presence of aphid honey-dew. Start monitoring when plants begin to flower. Action threshold include, 1-2 aphids per leaf, 2-3 aphids per stem tip or 9-13 per sweep, if a sweep net is being used. Harvest or spray nearby alfalfa, vetch or clover before winged adults are formed in the spring. Varieties differ in their susceptibility to pea aphid damage. Plant varieties less prone to high infestations and damage. There are many natural enemies (lady beetles, lacewings, flower fly larvae, predatory midges, Braconid wasps) that help reduce aphid numbers. Fungi will control high aphid populations during warm, humid or wet weather. A single systemic insecticide application will control this pest. azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 5 to 7 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Suppression and adult feeding deterrent. OMRI listed. endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A). esfenvalerate (Asana* XL): 2.9 to 5.8 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (7 dh for fresh, 21 dh dry, REI 24h, Group 3A). Seed MaggotsMaggot infestations are favored by cool, wet soils high in organic matter. Maggots may feed on seeds, roots or cotyledon leaves and may reduce plant stands and necessitate replanting during cool, spring weather. Avoid fields with high plant or manure residue. Plant shallow to promote rapid germination and emergence. Buy treated seed if available or treat with Crusier (see seedcorn maggot in bean section). chlorpyrifos (Lorsban* 4E): 2 pt/A (REI 24h, Group 1B). Broadcast and incorporate into top 1” to 3” of soil. Disease ControlNOTE: For the products for disease control listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 22 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients. Damping-Off, Seed Decay, Root Rot, and Stem CankerPlant early in well-drained and well-fertilized soil. Use three to four year rotation. Bacillus subtilis GB03 (Kodiak): 0.125 oz/100 lb seed. mefenoxam (Apron XL): 0.64-1.28 fl oz/100 lb seed. (REI 48h, Group 4). Seed treatment. Streptomyces griseoviridis strain K61 (MycoStop): 0.08 oz/lb seed. Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain KRL-AG2 (T-22 HC): 1.5-3.0 0z/100 lb seed.
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