Bob Stefko
You watched yourpea plants grow, flower, and start to form green pods.
But how do you know when to harvest peas?
Pick them too early, and they dont taste like much.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Fortunately, judging ripeness is easy to get the hang of once you know what to look for.
This guide explains how and when to harvest peas in your garden at their peak flavor.
Peas arecool-season vegetablesthat are sown early in spring and again in the fall in some areas.
Most pea varieties are ready for initial picking in about 60 days.
Start paying attention when you notice the vines flowering.
The first pods could be ready in as little as a week.
One way to determine if peas are ready to harvest is to taste one.
For snow peas and snap peas, an immature pod is small and has little flavor.
When theyre too old, they start to get tough, maybe stringy, and wont be as sweet.
Harvest peas in the morning, no matter which variety you grow.
The peas are full of water from the night before and will be at their juiciest.
A littleplanning at planting timecan make harvesting easier.
When you sow peas,put up a trellisor arbor.
A taste test is the perfect way to check.
A basket nearby makes a handy vessel to drop peas into.
Once pea season starts, check the plants daily or at least every other day.
Pea vines will continue to produce until hot weather arrives or frigid temperatures finally kill them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely!
Many pea varieties nowadays are stringless, although they may get stringy if left to over-mature on the vine.
Look for the stringless trait on the package or in the description.
Yes,snap peas or other peas are fine for your dog to have as a snack.
