Varieties

Edible Podded or Snow Pea

• Dwarf White Sugar
• Mammoth Melting Sugar
• Sugar Snow
• Oregon Sugar (F)

English or Garden Pea

Early

• Knight (MV, PM)
• Little Marvel
• Progress Strains
• Sparkle
• Spring
• Dakota (trial)

Midseason

• Freezonian
•  Frosty
•  Mr. Big

Late

• Alderman
• Dual
• Green Arrow (F, DM)
• Lincoln
• Utrillo
• Wando

Sugar Pea or Sugar Snap

• Super Snappy
• Sugar Daddy
• Sugar Ann
• Sugar Snap (trellis essential) 
• Sugar Sprint (trial)
  

DM: Downy Mildew tolerant

F: Fusarium resistant MV: Mosaic Virus resistant

PM: Powdery Mildew resistant

Spacing and Seeding

Seeding 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.

For processing peas, seed 200 to 250 lb/A at 1” between plants and 7” between rows.

Trellising

Nylon 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.

Lime

Apply lime according to soil test results to maintain soil pH at 6.5 to 6.8.

Fertilizer

Most 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.

Nitrogen fixing can be slow in a cool, wet spring, so there may not be adequate nitrogen for high yields through nitrogen fixing alone. In this case, additional nitrogen may help to increase yields. However, applying excess nitrogen may reduce nitrogen fixing by bacteria. If Rhizobium is not present, or leaching has occurred, or for early peas sidedressing with an additional 25 lbs of nitrogn may be beneficial.

Less nitrogen fertilizer will be needed if manure or legume sod was plowed down (see nitrogen credits on page 6).