Source
r/gardening•
dpx

Question about peas..

Hi everyone,I'm wondering if I should sow peas in peat pots or some other method, or wait until after last frost and just sow them straight into the garden bed? We have a late last frost where I live, the farmers almanac says last frost date of Apr 17-May 8 (Alberta Canada)

I was going to just sow them into the beds after last frost but recently been reading about some people starting them off in peat pots. With the late frost date I don't know if this would be a route worth trying? I'm a complete noob so any advice or tips would be appreciated.. kinda been getting overwhelmed from the countless articles and info I've been reading online lol. Thanks in advance for any help, I appreciate it

Posted Apr 4, 2021, 10:09 AM UTC

19
phytomanic•

Peas can be sown at least a week or 2 before last frost as long as the soil is warm and can be worked. They can have the first shoot frozen off and come back because unlike many legumes the cotyledons and the growth points between them stay protected underground. Since it can be difficult to keep pea seedlings healthy in the warm temperatures and lower light indoors you can't start them more than a couple weeks before last frost so it doesn't gain much. I would plant the seeds directly outdoors a bit early, but if you wait until after last frost you don't delay your harvest much. There's very little advantage starting indoors.

5
dpxOP•

Thank you for the informative answer. What you're saying makes sense! Appreciate it!

2
Financial-Flan-7825•

I agree with this completely. Plus timing of doing them in pots can be tricky if you aren't patient. Then you have to be careful not to temperature shock them when transplanting. Sowing in ground is what I prefer too. Good luck!

1
CurriestGeorge•

Waiting until last frost is usually too late, it'll be hot when they try to make peas

2
dpxOP•

What's considered hot for peas? We have a cool climate here with summer average of 20-25*c.. It rarely gets over 30. Thanks for the tip!

1
onceinablueberrymoon•

peas should be direct sown. they can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked. though if it stays cold, it can take a while before they emerge. they geminate and grow better if you plant them with pea inoculant.

2
dpxOP•

Thank you for the information and tip about the pea inoculant! Appreciated!

1
button-up•

You can do either! I have done both. :)

1
dpxOP•

Interesting, perhaps I will try both then.. I have some peat pots laying around! Thanks for your reply!

1