Plant Library

vegetable

Garden Pea

Pisum sativum

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Garden Pea (Pisum sativum) at Pesche's Garden Center

Garden Pea fruit

Garden Pea fruit

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Garden Pea (Pisum sativum) at Pesche's Garden Center

Garden Pea fruit

Garden Pea fruit

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  6 feet

Spacing:  3 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Description:

A perfect selection for any garden or large container; from dwarf to vining, peas are an amazing crop to grow in the cool season; produces long pods either green, yellow or purple that contain several small peas inside; delicious and versatile

Edible Qualities

Garden Pea is an annual vegetable plant that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The entire above-ground parts of the plant are edible, and are typically harvested when mature. The edible parts have a sweet taste and a crisp texture.

The plant is most often used in the following ways:

  • Fresh Eating
  • Eating When Cooked/Prepared
  • Cooking
  • Baking
  • Freezing

Planting & Growing

Garden Pea will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. When planted in rows, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 inches apart. Because of its vigorous growth habit, it may require staking or supplemental support. This fast-growing vegetable plant is an annual, which means that it will grow for one season in your garden and then die after producing a crop.

This plant is typically grown in a designated vegetable garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This species is not originally from North America.

Garden Pea is a good choice for the vegetable garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Garden  Container 
Applications
Vegetable 
Ornamental Features