It’s said that freshly-picked peas are much, much better compared to the ones you buy at a supermarket. That said, you might be interested in growing the vegetable but don’t know when and how to harvest peas.
So, when to pick peas at the right time? We’ll answer that below.
When to Pick Peas
Pisum sativum, or the humble pea, comes in different types, including snap peas, snow peas, and sweet peas, among others. The good news is that the vegetable is very easy to grow and is quick to harvest- most pea plants only need about 60 to 70 days to mature and flower.
One surefire sign that you can start picking peas is when the flowers are in full bloom. Check every day so you can harvest the delicious peas when they’re at their peak freshness and taste. Generally speaking, the peas should be ready within 2-3 weeks after flowers appear, with different ways to tell for different pea varieties.
You’ll have a short window of time to harvest peas in their best state. It’s still okay to miss the peak period though, as you can still add peas in winter soups. In summer, most pea plants will stop flowering and die back in the hot weather.
How to Know When Peas are Ready for Harvest
There’s a tried-and-tested method of knowing when a pea is ready to be picked. Peas that have edible pods can be harvested when they reach a length of 2-3 inches and the seeds are swelling inside, while peas that need to be shelled are ready when you see cylindrical seeds in the pods.
As for shell peas, it’s recommended that you pick them before the skin gets waxy. Snap peas can be taken when the pods are plump and shiny. Snow peas are best harvested when the pods start to show their seeds.
Peas lose their freshness quickly once off the vine. That said, you should harvest peas the moment that you’re ready to use them, as a tasty snack or as an ingredient in a dish you’re making. Morning is the best time to harvest peas and pick them off the plant, as they will be at their crispest. You can store your harvested peas in the fridge for about 3-5 days, or freeze them by packing them in sealed containers for cooking later on.
You’ll know that the window has passed when the pea shell has turned dull, or when the pods have hardened to a point that they’re no longer edible. If this is the case, then you must still pick them to encourage more pods to form.
How to Harvest Peas So They Keep Growing?
There’s no secret to getting your pea plants to produce more peas other than to continue harvesting the pods until the summer season starts. If you’re familiar with the term ‘deadheading’, then you can apply the same principle to peas.
Harvest the peas regularly so the plant continues to flower and form pods. Remember, pea plants only have a short window before they die back in summer, so even if you don’t intend to use the peas you should pick them at their freshest.
To harvest peas, you should have both hands free. Pick a ripe specimen, then hold the vine where the pea connects to stabilize it. Use your other hand to pull the pod off the plant to reduce damage as much as possible. Alternatively, you can use a pair of sharp scissors or a knife to cut the material at the end of the stem. It’s worth noting that you should also take the calyx, or the small star-shaped protrusion when harvesting to allow the peas to grow bigger in the pod.
It’s recommended that you do some light pruning to encourage the vine to produce a fork and where new pods can grow on. Some pea shoots regrow and allow for a second harvest, so don’t cut off the vines and allow them to sprawl and grow even after you’ve picked peas off them.
Lastly, don’t forget to water continuously and remove weeds by hand, and add some mulch material like shredded leaves and grass clippings to keep your pea plants happy and thriving.