Growing Peas in Autumn: Your Essential Guide to Planting, Care, and Harvesting

Peas are a cool-weather crop that can thrive when planted in autumn, allowing you to enjoy a fresh harvest in late autumn or early winter. With the right varieties and a bit of frost protection, autumn-grown peas can produce tender, sweet pods that are perfect for snacking, cooking, or adding to salads. Here’s everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting peas in autumn.

Why Grow Peas in Autumn?

Autumn planting takes advantage of cooler temperatures that peas love, reducing the risk of disease and pests that can be more common in warm weather. Peas planted in autumn also benefit from the consistent moisture that often comes with the season, helping them develop quickly and produce a bountiful crop. In regions with mild winters, autumn-planted peas can continue producing into winter with minimal protection.

Best Varieties of Peas for Autumn Planting

Some pea varieties are particularly suited to cooler conditions and shorter growing seasons. Here are a few top choices for autumn planting:

1. Oregon Sugar Pod: A snow pea variety that is cold-tolerant and produces sweet, tender pods. Great for harvesting early.
2. Douce Provence: Known for its hardiness, this early-maturing variety produces plump, sweet peas, perfect for autumn planting.
3. Kelvedon Wonder: A popular choice for its fast growth and excellent flavor. It’s a compact plant that performs well in cooler weather.
4. Meteor: A dwarf pea variety that is exceptionally cold-hardy, making it a great choice for autumn sowing.
5. Sugar Ann: This dwarf snap pea matures quickly and produces sweet, crisp pods that can be eaten whole.

Steps for Planting Peas in Autumn

1. Choose a Sunny, Well-Drained Location
   Peas prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and isn’t prone to waterlogging.
2. Prepare the Soil
   Peas thrive in loose, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.0–7.5). Before planting, add compost to enrich the soil but avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as peas are legumes that fix their own nitrogen.
3. Sow Seeds Directly
   Sow pea seeds directly in the ground about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart, with rows spaced 18 inches apart. Peas don’t transplant well, so it’s best to start them where they will grow.
4. Water Thoroughly
   Water the soil well after planting to help the seeds establish. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during germination.

Caring for Peas Through Autumn and Early Winter

• Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, especially as colder weather approaches.
• Provide Support: Most pea varieties benefit from support. Use trellises, stakes, or pea netting to keep vines upright and make harvesting easier.
• Water Consistently: Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Consistent moisture is essential for healthy pea development.
• Protect from Frost: Peas are frost-tolerant, but a sudden, heavy frost can damage young plants. Use row covers or cloches to provide extra protection on very cold nights.

Harvesting Peas

Peas are typically ready to harvest 60–70 days after planting, depending on the variety. Harvesting regularly encourages the plants to produce more pods.

1. Harvest Snap and Snow Peas Early
   For snap and snow peas, pick pods when they reach full size but before the peas inside become too large. These varieties are best when the pods are tender and sweet.
2. Harvest Shelling Peas at Full Size
   For shelling peas, wait until the pods are plump and firm. Once harvested, shell and use the peas quickly, as they are sweetest when fresh.

Storage Tips

Freshly harvested peas are best eaten right away but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, blanch and freeze peas to preserve their flavor and texture.

Top 10 Questions and Answers on Growing Peas in Autumn

1. When should I plant peas in autumn?
Plant peas about 8–10 weeks before the first frost to give them time to mature before winter sets in.

2. Can peas be grown in containers?
Yes, peas can be grown in containers, but use a deep pot and provide support like a trellis for climbing varieties.

3. How deep should pea seeds be planted?
Plant pea seeds about 1 inch deep to ensure they establish well in the soil.

4. What type of soil is best for peas?
Peas prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adding compost improves soil structure without needing extra nitrogen.

5. How often should I water peas?
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and pod formation, but avoid waterlogging.

6. Are peas frost-tolerant?
Yes, most pea varieties are frost-tolerant, but they may need some protection during severe frosts.

7. Do peas need fertilizer?
Peas are nitrogen-fixers, so they don’t need nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Compost or a balanced fertilizer works well.

8. How do I support pea plants?
Use trellises, stakes, or pea netting to support climbing varieties. Even dwarf varieties can benefit from some support.

9. How do I know when peas are ready to harvest?
Peas are ready when the pods are plump and full. Snap and snow peas should be picked while the pods are tender.

10. Can I freeze fresh peas?
Yes, blanch peas briefly in boiling water, then cool quickly in ice water before freezing to preserve their flavor and texture.

With this guide, you’ll have everything you need to grow a productive crop of peas in autumn, allowing you to enjoy fresh, homegrown peas well into the winter. Happy gardening!