Field Pea
Pisum sativum subsp. arvense
vegetableField Pea (also called Austrian Winter Pea) is a cool-season legume grown both as a tender edible green and as a cover crop that fixes 70 to 125 lb of nitrogen per acre. The vines reach 2 to 4 feet long with pink, purple, or white flowers; young tendrils, shoots, and flowers are sweet pea-flavored treats for spring stir-fries and salads.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~80 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
2-4 in apart for harvest; broadcast for cover crop
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Planting Depth
1-2 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Inoculate seed with rhizobium at planting; no fertilizer needed
Fertilizer
Legume inoculant; field peas fix their own nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Sow seeds in fall (4 to 6 weeks before hard freeze) or very early spring. For fall plantings, peas should be 6 to 8 in tall before the ground freezes for maximum winter survival; hardy to 0F. Sow 1 to 2 in deep, broadcast at 1 lb per 200 sq ft for a cover crop, or in rows 2 in apart for harvest. As a cover crop, mow down at flowering and turn under 2 weeks before planting the next crop; tender stems break down fast.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Mar 18
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Projected first harvest
Jun 6
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Carrots — Different root depth; peas leave nitrogen behind for the next crop
- Brassicas — Heavy feeders that benefit from the nitrogen field peas fix
- Lettuce — Quick early companion in cool weather
- Spinach — Shares cool-season window and follows field peas in rotation
❌ Keep away from
OnionGarlic
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Encourage ladybugs and lacewings; blast colonies with water
Space for airflow and water at the base
Beer traps or iron phosphate bait around young plants
Plant in well-drained soil; rotate legumes for 2 years
🌾 Harvest & storage
For edible harvest, snip tender tendrils, shoots, and flowers any time during growth; the pinch encourages branching. Harvested young leaves taste sweet and pealike; use in stir-fries, salads, and atop soups. As a cover crop, mow at full flowering and let the residue dry on the bed for 1 to 2 weeks, then turn under or use as mulch. The nitrogen left behind feeds the next crop.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Pea shoots run about 81 calories per 100 g with high vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. As a cover crop, the agronomic value is enormous: 70 to 125 lb of biologically-fixed nitrogen per acre, equivalent to a full season of synthetic fertilizer.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.