Peas provide a lot of nutrients. Depending on the variety (from snow peas to dried peas to common green peas) they can provide fiber, iron, protein, vitamin C, lysine, tryptophan and carbohydrates to the diet. Harvest takes place in the cold season, so cultivation and germination indoors should be carried out several weeks before the last frost; in this way the plants then have a lot of time to stay outdoors, grow and proceed with the harvest before the temperatures reach the level that blocks the development of peas. While you can plant seeds right in the garden, horticulturists and experts from various universities say that a good understanding of the germination stage before moving outdoors ensures a better harvest.
Steps
Step 1. Apply nitrogen fixing inoculant (available in garden centers) to the seeds
Follow the instructions on the package.
Step 2. Dampen some kitchen paper and fold it into four parts
Step 3. Slip the pea seeds between the folds of the paper
Step 4. Put everything in a perforated plastic bag
Step 5. Store the seeds in a warm place, such as a sunny window sill, with a temperature of around 18 ° C
Step 6. Monitor the hydration level of the kitchen paper and seeds
Add water as needed to ensure a moist environment inside the bag.
Step 7. Observe the formation of small roots emerging from the folds of the absorbent paper
Step 8. Fill 7-8 cm diameter pots with potting soil
Step 9. Place a germinated seed in each jar
Note: Bury the sprout about half the depth indicated on the seed packet and cover it with a light layer of soil
Step 10. Water the soil until the area around the sprout is well moistened
Step 11. Let the sprouts grow and turn into healthy seedlings before moving them to the garden
Advice
- The ideal soil pH is between 5.5 and 6.5.
- The optimal temperatures for pea plants growing outdoors are in the range of 18 to 24 ° C.
- If you live in a very hot region, mulch the base of the plants to cool the soil and reduce water evaporation.
- Peas are typically ready for harvest 50-70 days after germination.
- These plants prefer fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
- Plant 60-90g of seeds in each 30m row.
Warnings
- Check cultivation for aphids, larvae, Spodoptera exempta, pea weevil, Fusarium oxysporum, mosaic virus (transmitted by aphids), powdery mildew, root rot, and seed or sprout diseases.
- Old seeds do not germinate well or do not develop at all; sow those left over from the previous year more densely than indicated.
- Peas do not germinate well in very cold climates or in too hot soils.
- Monitor plants to make sure there are no fallen flowers or fibrous pods; both are indications of too much heat and / or lack of water.
- Don't eat old seeds; those treated with pesticides are not edible.
