Kevin Russ/iStock
READ MORE ABOUT:
Spring is here and amongst a ton of other welcomed annual activities, it's pea season. Between snap peas, snow peas, shell peas, and soup peas there is just so much flavor to be had with this super healthy and terribly versatile crop. The ins and outs of mastering this crowd favorite aren't really that difficult either and more than that, peas are tasty in SO many spring and summer recipes.
Check out this easy guide to planting and enjoying any variety of pea:
Get planting.
Peas can be planted in the spring, in other words get planting now! These are good to go a month before the last frost according to Mother Earth News. Peas can suffer when the weather gets too warm so don't wait to plant them especially if you live down south. In my native South Carolina there is simply no way that these guys could survive an unforgiving summer in the hottest part of the state. Soak the seeds before you plant them to ensure strong germination.
Take care in sowing.
Peas do well in a trellis so install one before planting. Do this by purchasing a trellis at least 6 feet tall and securing it in the ground where the crop is planted. Skip the fertilizer and plant about 9 inches deep. Plant in rows 2 feet apart, 1 seed per inch.
Harvest time.
When it's time to harvest them be very careful with the vines so that you don't destroy those that aren't ready yet. You can pick them everyday when they appear to be ready (swelled to full potential).
Avoiding pests naturally.
A fungi can build up in the crop if you're not careful, but it's avoidable by rotating the crops.
If you're harvesting a snap of snow pea, indulge in my spring pasta.
Snow Pea Pasta
1 cup fresh snow peas
1 cup asparagus, chopped
2 cups small shells or tube-shaped pasta
¼ cup high-quality organic olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ cup organic sour cream
5 large fresh sage leaves, chopped finely
¼ cup prosciutto, chopped
1 ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
- Steam peas and asparagus ensuring that they are still crisp.
- At the same time cook the pasta in boiling water for about 10 minutes, until it's cooked through.
- Add olive oil, butter, sour cream, and sage to a skillet and cook on medium. Simmer for about 3 minutes and add veggies back in.
- When the pasta is cooked al dente, drain and add to the sauce. Top with prosciutto, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
More on Green Gardening:
How to Go Green: Gardening
Take a Gardening Class and Get Growing
Go Guerrilla Gardening: It's the Greenest Kind of Vandalism
-
- {}
