Homegrown/Homemade: How to Plant Peas

Video Length: 5:25
Produced by: Danielle Sherry, Sarah Breckenridge, and Robyn Doyon-Aitken. Videography by Gary Junken. Edited by Cari Delahanty

Welcome to our video series Homegrown, Homemade. I'm a cook who needs some help in the garden and Fine Gardening's Danielle Sherry is a gardener who needs some help in the kitchen. We've teamed up to show gardeners and cooks of all skill levels how get the most out of their crops from seed to plate.

In the series on peas, Danielle shows me how to plant the pea bed, three ways to stake pea plants, and how to harvest the peas. Then we move into the kitchen, where I show Danielle how to blanch peas for freezing, how to use pea pods for a simple vegetarian broth, and finally, I share one of my favorite pea recipes: Pea & Mint Soup with Lemon Cream.

Episode One: How to Plant Peas
Peas like it cool, so the best time to start planting is when you can get down a few inches into the soil and it feels cool and moist, but not too wet. Pea plants leave nitrogen behind, so Danielle recommends planting in the same spot I used last season and shares her tricks, including treating the seeds with inoculant and spacing my plants, so this year's crop will be better than last year's.

Other episodes about peas


Episode One: How to Plant Peas		Episode Two: How to Care for Pea Plants		Episode Three: How to Harvest Peas


Episode Four: How to Prep Peas		Recipe Demo: Pea & Mint Soup with Lemon Cream

For more on growing peas, see our sister site, VegetableGardener.com.

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Countrymama writes: Just watched your video on planting peas. The content was accurate, however, I think you need to proof better. You made the outside row for the short peas, second row for tall peas, made a blank space for your trellis, and a third row for the second row of tall peas. You put the short peas in the bag, shook with innoculant, and then proceeded to plant them in the inside third row for the tall peas. I'm a seasoned gardener and caught this, but you could really have confused someone new. Just a thought. Thanks Posted: 3:49 pm on March 22nd

Pielove writes: Update, we just had our first pod of ripe peas yesterday-- and by "we", I mean my daughter-- the first peas are the prize of childhood. Posted: 3:51 pm on May 14th

skipp84 writes: My husband and I are long-time gardeners, subscribers to Fine Cooking and Fine Gardening, and the former Kitchen Garden magazine (maybe it was ahead of its time??). We loved your video, and your helper Juno. We also plant two rows of peas just for the pea tendrils. Snip off the top section for stir fries or salads. The vines will then produce side growth that may not be as tender as the first growth but with blanching is very tasty. Another way to enjoy the very short pea season. Posted: 4:15 pm on April 28th

normberg writes: I love this series and can't wait to see more!! It's particularly relevant to me as I'm embarking on my first vegetable garden this year.

I'm a huge fan of all things 'Fine' (Taunton publications). It's truly inspired to team up two great sources from Fine Cooking and Fine Gardening.

Keep up the great work!! Posted: 2:49 pm on April 9th

HillFarmLady writes: This is a nice short yet informative video. Great for new gardeners and those wanting to start gardening with their kids.

March 17th is too early here in mid-VT so it would help if you said where you are gardening.

Your pea bed is too short and the peas look crammed in. I am curious to see how it turns out. I plant with raised beds (much bigger garden) but never plant the rows that close together.

The info. you gave on peas fixing nitrogen was good--maybe should caution that most vegies shouldn't be planted in the same place year to year.

I look forward to this series! Posted: 5:31 pm on April 7th

KimB_WV writes: I am growing peas and beans for the first time this year. Just started them in little peat pots. Also trying broccoli again - last year wasn't so great. My plants produced very small crowns, more like large florets. Posted: 2:01 pm on April 7th

kateg writes: I love this series, you guys! Can't wait to see more. Posted: 4:49 pm on April 2nd

DanielleGardenGirl writes: Peas are one of those wonderful vegetables that are self-pollinating. The pollination process in all beans, peas, and tomatoes is called self-pollination because the transfer of pollen takes place within the individual flowers without the aid of insects or wind. This is especially great because there has been a serious decline in honey bees (and other insect pollinators) over the last few years.
P.S. I’m very jealous of your glassed-in porch--it’s like having a greenhouse attached to your house!
Posted: 6:03 pm on March 18th

Pielove writes: How timely! My daughter and I have a pot of peas growing on our glassed-in porch. One question-- do peas require insect pollination, or will they self-pollinate? Posted: 4:41 pm on March 18th

Homegrown/Homemade: How to Plant Peas

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