Crop Rotation Group
Legumes (Pea and Bean family) ●
Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
A cool-season annual, winter field peas (Austrian peas), can tolerate heavy frost but are killed by temperatures below -17 to -23C (0 to -10F).
Feeding
When using winter field peas to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting will give better results.
Spacing
Single Plants: 10cm (3") each way (minimum)
Rows: 10cm (3") with 20cm (7") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Poke holes in prepared seedbed and plant seeds 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) deep. Gaps between plants can be filled with an upright grain.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Primarily grown to increase soil nitrogen. Highly recommended as a winter green manure to go before sweet corn because of its vigorous nitrogen-fixing activity in early spring. Very low weedy potential compared to other green manures.
Harvesting
For maximum nitrogen gain, chop plants down and turn them under as soon as they begin to bloom. You also can pull up the plants and compost them.
Troubleshooting
Allow at least 3 weeks after turning under winter pea residue before direct-seeding vegetables, because the rotting vegetation can cause an increase in damping off of seedlings.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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Pests which Affect Winter Peas