Pea planting time and method

Pea is a nutritious and adaptable plant that can be used as an edible, medicinal and ornamental plant. It is suitable for cultivation in temperate and subtropical regions and is an ideal vegetable and ornamental plant. Here are the planting times and methods for peas.

1. Planting time

1. Northern Region

Spring sowing: generally carried out from the end of March to the beginning of April, when the temperature gradually warms up, which is suitable for pea growth.

Autumn sowing: usually carried out from late August to mid-September. Peas are cold-resistant and suitable for autumn planting.

2. Southern Region

Spring sowing: It can be done from February to April, when the temperature is moderate and suitable for pea growth.

Autumn sowing: generally from late September to early November, when the climate is mild and suitable for peas to grow over the winter.

In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, autumn open-field cultivation can be carried out from late August to mid-October, and winter film greenhouse cultivation can be carried out from October to February of the following year.

2. Planting Method

1. Seed selection

Choose seeds that are intact in appearance, uniform in size, smooth in surface, and free of pests and diseases. It is best to use fresh seeds to ensure a higher germination rate. Soaking the seeds in warm water for 8-10 hours will help increase germination rate and growth rate.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Choose a location with full sun, well-drained, and fertile soil. The soil pH should be neutral or slightly acidic; avoid alkaline soil. Before sowing, deep plow the land and apply sufficient base fertilizer. 1000-2000 kg of organic fertilizer and 40-50 kg of superphosphate can be applied per mu.

3. Sowing method

Row sowing: row spacing is about 70 cm, seed spacing is about 4 cm, and cover with 2-3 cm of soil after sowing.

Hole sowing: row spacing is about 30 cm, hole spacing is about 15 cm, and 3-5 seeds are sown in each hole.

Broadcasting: Suitable for small-area planting, spread the seeds evenly on the soil and cover with fine soil.

4. Field management

Peas like moisture but are afraid of waterlogging. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing period to avoid excessive water that may cause root rot. During the seedling stage, dilute manure or nitrogen fertilizer can be applied; during the flowering and podding stage, the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be increased, and 30% human manure and urine should be applied every two weeks. Remove weeds promptly to avoid competing with peas for nutrients and light. Peas are vines and require a support (such as bamboo poles or wire mesh) for them to climb and promote growth.

5. Pest and disease control

Peas are susceptible to pests and diseases such as aphids and root-knot nematodes. Low-toxic pesticides can be sprayed regularly or biological control methods can be used.

6. Harvest

Peas generally mature 60-90 days after sowing. The pods are harvested when they are full and bright green.

In short, pea is a widely grown legume that can be eaten or used as feed and green manure. By following the above method and schedule, you can grow healthy and high-yielding peas.