- 1). Plant edible pod peas early in spring. These peas are cool weather growers and do not thrive in warm weather. The plants like well-drained soil and can develop fungus diseases if they are too wet. For wet climates, choose disease-resistant peas for the garden. Mildew and fungus diseases can destroy the pea plants quickly.
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Choose snow peas, also called Chinese peas, for an all-time favorite. Snow peas are harvested with flat pods and tiny peas inside. These sweet-tasting peas are planted early as soon as the ground can be planted. The snow peas come in dwarf bushes up to 2 feet, in standard plants that grow 2 to 3 feet and in vine varieties up to 5 feet all that need to be staked or trellised. The dwarf bushes have the smallest pods and mature most quickly. These are best for cold climates or short growing seasons. Standard snow peas are well suited to most climates and have pods 3 to 4 inches long. Tall vining plants take the longest to mature, from 2 to 3 months, and have the largest pods. - 3
Select sugar snap peas for a plumper pod and peas. These peas are a cross between the snow pea and English pea. Most sugar snap peas grow on vines that reach 4 to 6 feet tall. They need bean pole, trellis or fence support to keep them upright in the sun. They are available in dwarf plants that grow up to 2 feet tall. - 4). Plant any of these easy to grow legumes in the fall or very early in spring to improve the garden. As they grow, these plants fixate nitrogen. Beneficial bacteria take nitrogen from the air and transform it into nitrogen for the soil. Plant a garden area in these early edible pod peas and then chop the mature plants into the soil for natural fertilizer. Nitrogen-loving plants or flowers will thrive in the enriched soil.
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Try edible pod peas raw for chilled snacks, salads and dipping vegetables. Toss these tasty peas cooked in stir-fry, mixed vegetables or rice dishes. The sugar snap peas are an excellent steamed side dish. Use these wonderful plants to feed the garden or your family. Enjoy their colorful foliage and beautiful flowers as garden accents. And these cold-thriving plants satisfy that gardening urge to plant early.
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