When is the best time to plant peas?

Peas prefer cool climatic conditions and are quite cold-resistant, but not heat-resistant. The suitable temperature range for growth is approximately 9-23℃, and different varieties have different adaptability to temperature. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant peas?

When is the best time to plant peas?

Areas north of the Yangtze River: Peas in this area are usually sown in spring, and farmers generally choose to do so between March and April. After a growing period of about four months, peas can be harvested between July and August. The harvest time will be determined according to the specific growth conditions of the peas.

Areas south of the Yangtze River: In this area, peas are mostly planted in autumn, and farmers usually choose the appropriate time to plant between September and November. The harvest period is generally from April to May of the following year. For example, after the sweet potato harvest, farmers would till the land and plant peas so that they could enjoy fresh peas in the spring.

Key points for growing peas

1. Site selection and land preparation

Peas are not very demanding on soil. Both sandy soil and loam are suitable for planting, but you need to choose a flat field with good drainage. Avoid choosing land that has been planted with pulses within the past year. The soil should be deeply plowed before planting to ensure that the soil is loose and has enhanced permeability and drainage. Apply poultry manure as a base fertilizer.

2. Seed selection and sowing

Choose mature pea seeds with full grains. If you keep the seeds for yourself, make sure the seeds are healthy. When purchasing seeds, you should also choose good quality ones. Drying the seeds before sowing can help increase the germination rate. Avoid sowing during high temperatures and rainy seasons to prevent affecting seed germination and growth.

3. Field management

From sowing to harvesting, pea fields need to be weeded 2-3 times to reduce the competition between weeds and peas for nutrients. Regular field inspections and manual weeding are beneficial to the healthy growth of peas.

In case of continued high temperature weather, timely irrigation should be carried out to promote seed germination and emergence. During the rainy season, attention should be paid to drainage to avoid excessive moisture in the soil, so as not to affect seedling emergence and root health.

4. Pest and disease control

Major pea diseases include powdery mildew and downy mildew. Disinfecting seeds with chemicals before sowing can effectively prevent diseases. Remove weeds in the field in time to reduce the breeding of pests and diseases.

5. Harvest time

The market usually prefers fresh peas, so they should be harvested in time according to their maturity. The market demand for dry peas is relatively low, so careful management is required to ensure that the peas are harvested at the best time to meet market demand.

In summary, the choice of pea seeds should be determined according to local climatic conditions. In areas south of the Yangtze River, due to the low temperatures in winter, it is usually necessary to choose varieties with stronger cold resistance to ensure that peas can safely survive the winter.