English peas, also known as garden peas or green peas, are a cool weather vegetable grown for their sweet, tender green pods and peas. They are a classic spring vegetable that has been enjoyed for centuries. English peas are a versatile ingredient that can be eaten raw, cooked, frozen, and more. Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about English peas.
What are English peas?
English peas are a cultivar of the species Pisum sativum in the Fabaceae (legume) family. The tender green pods and round peas inside are the edible portions. The pods are eaten whole when young and tender, while the peas are shelled for eating once mature.
There are a few different types of English peas:
- Shelling peas – grown for their seeds or peas which are shelled and eaten
- Snap peas – eaten whole with pods that snap like beans
- Snow peas – eaten whole with flat edible pods
Within these types there are countless pea varieties with differences in yield, sweetness, pod size, disease resistance, and more. Popular English pea cultivars include ‘Sugar Snap’, ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’, ‘Cascadia’, and ‘Lincoln’.
English Pea Plant Description
English pea plants are climbing annuals that reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall when supported. The plants have slender, vining stems with tendrils that allow them to cling to supports. Leaves are alternately arranged, smooth, green, and divided into leaflets.
The edible pods grow in pairs at the leaf axils along the vine. Pods begin green and plump with the developing peas inside. As both pods and peas mature, they take on a rounded or dimpled shape. Pod colors at maturity range from light to dark green or purple tinged depending on variety.
Inside the pods, the peas are globe-shaped and green, taking on a starchier and sweeter taste as they fill out. Once harvested, the peas are removed from pods through shelling. An average pod contains 5-8 peas.
English Pea Growing Conditions
English peas thrive in cool weather and can be grown in spring and fall in most climates. They perform best in zones 2-10. Ideal temperatures for growth are 55-75 F (13-24 C).
English peas require full sun – at least 6 hours per day. They need well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. Adding compost improves drainage and nutrients.
The plants have short roots so shallow planting is best, 1-2 inches deep. Space seeds 2 inches apart in rows spaced 30-60 inches apart. Trellising or staking up vines is recommended to increase yields.
English peas are heavy nitrogen feeders. Side dressing with a nitrogen fertilizer once flowering begins improves pod production. Regular watering of 1-2 inches per week is needed, avoiding any waterlogged soils.
When to Plant English Peas
English peas can be planted in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. The seeds germinate best in cool soil around 40-75 F (4-24 C).
In northern climates, plant 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost. Anytime from February (in warmer zones) to April can work.
In southern warm climates they grow better as a fall/winter crop. Plant 90-100 days before the first frost date. Late summer to early fall sowing dates are ideal.
Successive plantings every 1-2 weeks extends the harvest. Quick maturing varieties planted late spring can provide a crop before heat sets in.
How to Grow English Peas
Follow these simple tips for growing English peas in your garden:
– Prepare soil by mixing in 2-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure
– Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep in rows 30-60 inches apart
– Space seeds 2 inches apart in all directions
– Water soil after seeding and keep moist until germination
– Thin seedlings to 4 inches apart when they reach 2 inches tall
– Install trellises or supports once seedlings reach 6 inches
– Mulch once vines start climbing to retain soil moisture
– Provide regular watering of 1-2 inches per week
– Fertilize when flowering starts with a nitrogen fertilizer
– Harvest frequently once pods reach desired size
How to Trellis English Peas
Properly staking or trellising English pea vines is important to increase yields. It keeps plants upright, prevents disease, and makes harvesting easier. Here are some trellising options:
– Install tall stakes or poles at either end of pea rows and run strings horizontally for vines to climb.
– Construct pea fences using branches arranged in a zig-zag or herringbone pattern.
– Use a trellis panel secured vertically along the rows.
– Allow vines to climb up stacked cages made from fencing.
– Grow bush type peas next to chain link fencing and allow them to cling to it.
Aim for trellises 5-6 feet tall. Space supports every 6-12 inches along the rows to prevent vines from slumping.
English Pea Companion Plants
Compatible companion plants are great to grow alongside English peas. Beneficial pairings include:
– Carrots – Peas provide shade for cool weather loving carrots. Carrots deter pea-eating pests.
– Radishes – Quick growing radishes mark pea rows. The vegetables mature together.
– Turnips & Parsnips – These root crops fill space after peas are done.
– Lettuce & Spinach – Shallow rooted greens don’t compete for nutrients.
– Beans – Peas provide nitrogen for beans. Bean trellises can support pea vines.
– Potatoes – These crops utilize garden space at different times.
Avoid planting peas near onions, garlic, leeks, and gladiolus which can inhibit pea growth.
English Pea Pests and Diseases
Common pests that affect English peas include:
– Aphids – Small sucking insects that cluster on leaves and vines, transmitting viruses. Blast off with water or use insecticidal soap.
– Pea leaf weevil – Notched leaves caused by these beetles chewing. They mostly affect young seedlings. Pick off by hand.
– Pea moths – Larvae bore into developing pods leaving damage. Use row covers or BT spray.
– Slugs & snails – Leaves ragged holes. Control with traps and iron phosphate bait.
Diseases include:
– Fusarium wilt – Leaves yellow from soil-borne fungus. Improve drainage and rotate crops.
– Powdery mildew – White fungal coating on leaves in humid weather. Space plants for air flow.
– Root rot – Overwatering causes fungal attack on roots. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
– Viruses – Mosaic patterns on leaves. Control aphids and plant resistant varieties.
When and How to Harvest English Peas
Harvest English peas frequently once pods reach desired size:
– Snap & Snow peas – Pick when pods fill out but are still flat and crisp before seeds swell.
– Shelling peas – Allow pods to plump up with seeds and harvest before they appear dimpled.
Check peas daily once flowering starts. Use scissors to cut pods from vines rather than pulling. Pick early in the morning when sugars are highest.
Stop harvesting once pods appear bulging, dry, fibrous, or yellow tinged. Overmature pods divert energy from further pod production.
Storing English Peas
Freshly picked English pea pods will keep in the refrigerator crisper for 2-3 days. Rinse pods just before use.
For long term storage:
– Shell peas and blanch 2-3 minutes, cool, then freeze in airtight bags up to one year.
– Pickle pods or ferment peas to enjoy their tangy flavors.
– Dry pea pods and seeds to use like beans in soups and stews.
– Can shelled peas in a pressure canner using proper techniques for enjoying later.
Using English Peas
English peas are extremely versatile in the kitchen. Enjoy them raw or cooked in both savory and sweet preparations:
– Snack on snap peas raw with hummus or dip. Add to green salads.
– Saute shelled peas lightly to retain their fresh flavor. Toss in risotto, pasta, and fried rice dishes.
– Puree cooked peas with herbs for a vivid soup. Mix into potato salad.
– Fill wonton wrappers with seasoned peas and minced pork to make potstickers.
– Mix peas, feta, and mint together as the protein in a grain bowl.
– Make pea pesto by blending cooked peas with olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs.
– Use peas when making veggie sushi rolls. They pair nicely with avocado.
– Stuff peeled, cooked new potatoes with a mixture of peas, bacon, sour cream, and chives.
– Whirl peas in the food processor then fold into cake, cookie, and quick bread batters.
English Pea Nutrition
English peas are highly nutritious, despite their small size. One cup (160 grams) of cooked peas contains (source):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 134 |
| Protein | 9g |
| Carbs | 25g |
| Fiber | 9g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Vitamin A | 38% DV |
| Vitamin C | 48% DV |
| Vitamin K | 41% DV |
| Thiamine | 15% DV |
| Folate | 12% DV |
| Manganese | 23% DV |
Peas are especially high in vitamins A, C, and K. They also provide plant-based protein and fiber. The fiber helps slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar response.
Overall, English peas offer impressive nutrition and health benefits for their petite size. Adding just a cup serving to your diet provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more.
The History of English Peas
Peas are one of the oldest cultivated vegetable crops. Originating in the Mediterranean and Near East regions, ancient Greeks and Romans grew several pea varieties.
Early forms had low yields and bitter flavor. Selective breeding through the Middle Ages gradually improved sweetness. By the 1600s English gardeners had developed the English pea.
Easy to grow and preserve, peas became a staple during long winters. Dried peas were used to make pease porridge. Thomas Jefferson grew over 30 pea varieties at Monticello.
Modern breeding in the 19th century focused on improving yields, disease resistance, pod size, and flavor. Today the average commercial yield is about 3,000 lbs per acre thanks to advanced cultivars.
The popularity of English peas has endured for centuries thanks to their unbeatable sweet, verdant taste of spring. Their use continues in classic and modern cuisine across the globe.
Types of English Peas
There are three major types of English peas categorized by how they are consumed:
Shelling Peas
– Grown for drying and use as pulse crops or eaten fresh after shelling.
– Originated in Central Asia and the Middle East and have been cultivated for 10,000+ years.
– Also called garden peas, field peas, or green peas. Example varieties: ‘Little Marvel’, ‘Green Arrow’.
Snap Peas
– Cultivated for edible snapable pods with small seeds inside.
– Bred by crossing shelling peas with snow peas. First released in 1979.
– Offer a crisp, juicy texture. Popular varieties: ‘Sugar Snap’, ‘Cascadia’.
Snow Peas
– Grown for flat edible pods eaten before seeds develop.
– Originated in Asia, likely China. Introduced to Europe in the early 1800s.
– Commonly used in Asian cuisines. Varieties include ‘Oregon Giant’ and ‘Mammoth Melting’.
English Pea Fun Facts
– Peas have been found in Stone Age settlements dating back to 9775 BCE.
– “Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot, nine days old” is an old English nursery rhyme dating to the 1760s.
– A very rare genetic condition called “maple syrup urine disease” causes urine to smell like sweet peas due to inability to break down certain amino acids.
– During the Depression, seed companies gave away pea seeds for free to gardeners for a brief time to promote Victory Gardens.
– In Gregor Mendel’s famous genetics experiments, peas were the subject which allowed him to discover dominant and recessive traits and gene theory in the 1860s.
– Eating fresh raw peas right out of the pods in the garden is called “pea picking” and is a favorite spring tradition.
– The current world record for shelling the most peas by hand in 3 minutes is 417, held by Miranda Wright of Canada.
– The pea plant was the model in John Chamber’s famous illustration of plant morphology that greatly influenced botany and laid the foundation to understanding plant relationships.
– The character Princess Pea in the VeggieTales cartoons is, unsurprisingly, shaped like a pea pod.
Conclusion
In conclusion, English peas are a treasured vegetable with a long, rich history. Their sweet flavor and tender texture when eaten fresh makes them a hallmark of spring. English peas are easy to grow, nutritious, and versatile in the kitchen. Shelling, snap, and snow peas each offer their own unique qualities. Incorporating more English peas into your diet provides vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and satisfaction from growing your own food. The next time you see English peas for sale at the market or as seedlings, consider adding this classic cool weather crop to your garden or table.