Peas: Growing & Enjoying for beginners
Sweet peas, also known as Pisum sativum, are not only delicious but also easy to grow—making them a perfect choice for beginner gardeners, especially those in urban spaces. With their lush vines and fresh, sweet flavor, these plants can transform a balcony, patio, or rooftop garden into a productive oasis.
But here’s where it gets a little tricky: the term "sweet pea" can also refer to Lathyrus odoratus, a fragrant flowering plant that’s beautiful but toxic if consumed. Don’t worry—this guide is all about growing and enjoying edible sweet peas.
From selecting seeds to harvesting and cooking, this post covers everything you need to know, including how to grow peas in small spaces, deal with common problems and savor the rewards of your efforts. Let’s get started!
Sweet Peas vs. Garden Peas: What’s the Difference?
Though they share a name, Lathyrus odoratus (ornamental sweet peas) and Pisum sativum (edible garden peas) are very different plants. Here’s how to tell them apart:
Lathyrus odoratus (Ornamental Sweet Peas)
Purpose: Grown for their stunning flowers and sweet fragrance.
Edibility: Toxic! The seeds and pods of ornamental sweet peas are not edible and can cause illness if consumed.
Appearance: These plants produce showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Overall they tend to be larger than Pisum sativum and grow in a vine formation.
Pisum sativum (Edible Sweet Peas or garden peas)
Purpose: Grown for their edible pods and seeds.
Edibility: Completely safe and delicious to eat, whether raw or cooked.
Appearance: Edible sweet peas have less dramatic flowers but produce pods filled with tender peas. They grow in vine formation and can also grow in a bushy form.
Pro Tip: Always check the seed packet for the botanical name to ensure you’re planting the edible variety (Pisum sativum) if you plan to harvest and eat them.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Sweet Pea Type & Variety
When growing edible sweet peas, selecting the right variety is key to success, especially in urban settings.
three Types of peas:
Shelling Peas: The seeds are eaten, but the pods are not. Some beginner-friendly varieties for urban gardeners are:
Varieties:
Maestro is a compact and productive variety that usually stays below 36”(91.4cm).
Sabre is a semi-dwarf variety with a very high productivity rate.
Wando is a 24”-30” frost and heat-tolerant plant that should be trellised.
Snap Peas: The pods and seeds of snap peas are edible. They are plump sweet and juicy.
Varieties:
Sugar Sprint is a heat-tolerant variety that stays under 2’ and grows well in containers.
Cascadia has 30” self-supporting vines that produce 3” pods.
Sugar Ann is a small bushy plant that produces pods ready in as little as 55 days!
Snow Peas: The pods and seeds of snow peas are also edible, but the pods are flat with smaller seeds than snap peas.
Varieties:
Oregon Sugar Pod II is compact and resistant to powdery mildew.
Mammoth Melting Sugar is a high-producing variety that can produce 4-5’ vines.
Dwarf Grey Sugar grows to a very manageable 2-3 feet and produces slender sweet pods.
Relatable Tip: If you have limited space, choose dwarf varieties that grow well in containers. These don’t require tall trellises and are easier to manage on a balcony or windowsill.
Step 2: Planning Your Urban Garden Setup
Whether you’re working with a balcony, rooftop, or small patio, peas are incredibly versatile and adapt well to containers and tight spaces. Here’s how to set up your urban pea garden.
Choosing Your Container
Sweet peas don’t need deep roots, so a container at least 6-12 inches deep works well. Here are some budget-friendly options:
5-gallon Buckets: Drill drainage holes at the bottom.
Window Boxes: Long and narrow containers are ideal for rows of peas.
Fabric Grow Bags: Lightweight, breathable, and affordable.
Repurposed Items: Use old crates, laundry baskets lined with fabric, or large tin cans.
Positioning Your Plants
Place your container in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. South-facing windows, balconies, or patios are ideal. If sunlight is limited, consider a portable container that you can move to follow the sun.
Building a DIY Trellis
Some peas need support as they grow. Here are some creative, low-cost ideas:
Bamboo stakes tied with twine.
Repurposed wire shelves or old tomato cages.
Strings tied between nails on a sunny wall.
Relatable Tip: Peas naturally “grab” onto supports, so you don’t need to spend hours tying them—they’ll climb like pros!
Here, we provided a simple hemp net for the planter box. This will allow our Mammoth Melting Sugar Peas to get the support they need to grow and produce tasty pods!
Step 3: Preparing Your Seeds
To improve germination rates, prepare your pea seeds before planting:
Soaking Seeds: Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 4-6 hours. This softens their outer coating and speeds up sprouting.
Optional Inoculation: Coat seeds with a legume inoculant (available at garden centers). This helps peas fix nitrogen in the soil, boosting plant health.
Pro Tip: If the seeds are soaked overnight, remember to drain them in the morning to avoid waterlogging.
Step 4: Planting Sweet Peas
Peas thrive in cool weather, so plant them in early spring or late fall. If you live in a mild to hot climate, plant them when the temperatures are below Here’s a step-by-step planting guide:
Prepare Soil: Use a loose, well-draining mix enriched with compost. If using garden soil, ensure it’s free of rocks or clumps. An added benefit to growing peas is that nitrogen can be fixed into the soil, provided the conditions are right. Coat your seeds with a good-quality inoculant to get the process going and ensure you have a great harvest.
Plant Seeds: Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart. If planting in rows, leave 6 inches between rows.
Water Gently: After planting, water the soil lightly to help the seeds settle.
Tip: Think of planting peas as tucking them into bed—they like a snug, even layer of soil.
Step 5: Caring for Your Peas
Sweet peas are low-maintenance but still need some care:
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Once the leaves grow, be sure to water the soil around the plant and not the leaves. This will help keep disease at bay.
Fertilizing: Peas don’t need heavy feeding. A small amount of compost tea once a month is sufficient.
Training the Vines: As vines grow, guide them gently toward the trellis or support.
Troubleshooting:
Yellowing Leaves: Caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure containers have holes, and don’t water if the soil feels damp.
Aphids: Spray plants with water mixed with a drop of dish soap. Ladybugs also help control aphid populations.
Powdery Mildew: Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and watering at the soil level.
Ladybug taking care of those pesky aphids so you don’t have to.
Step 6: Harvesting and ENJOY Your Sweet Peas
Peas are ready for harvest when the pods are plump but not overripe:
Shelling Peas: Pods should feel firm and full. Snap them off the vine gently.
Snap Peas: Harvest when pods are crisp and 2-3 inches long.
Snow Peas: Pick when pods are flat and tender before the peas inside swell.
Cooking Tips:
Here are a few easy ways to enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Eat raw for a sweet, crunchy snack.
Toss snow peas into a quick stir-fry.
Puree-shelled peas into a vibrant green dip.
Freeze extra peas after blanching for long-term storage.
Relatable Tip: Harvest often to encourage the plant to keep producing—it’s like a reward system for your hard-working peas!
Conclusion
Sweet peas are a rewarding crop for beginners, even in small urban spaces. With a little care, they’ll provide fresh, nutritious produce that’s far superior to anything store-bought. Whether you’re growing snap peas for snacking or snow peas for stir-fries, your efforts will pay off in flavor and satisfaction.
Happy planting, and enjoy your sweet peas! 🌱
With Love and Gratitude,
Janet & Jennifer
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