GROWING peas in home gardens is a cherished tradition for many, offering not just a rewarding harvest of sweet pods but also a delightful gardening experience.
Here is everything you need to know about growing peas in your garden and which vegetables are easy to grow for beginners.
Growing garden peas from seed is an enjoyable and rewarding gardening experience.
Before you begin, it’s essential to choose the right type of garden pea for your garden.
Shelling peas, also known as English peas, need to be shelled before eating and are ideal for cooking.
Snow peas have edible flat pods with tiny peas inside, making them perfect for stir-fries and salads.
Snap peas feature edible pods that are plump, sweet, and can be eaten whole.
After you choose what peas to grow you need to prepare the soil.
Peas thrive in well-prepared soil and prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
So if your soil is acidic you should add lime to it.
Select a site that receives full sun, although peas can tolerate partial shade and ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Then you need to plant the seeds, which you can do either indoors or outdoors.
Soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting can speed up germination.
Plant the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and space them about 1 to 2 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage.
Regularly remove weeds to reduce competition for nutrients.
You should also watch for pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew.
To protect your plants use organic or chemical controls.
Peas can be harvested in 60 days depending on the variety.
For shelling peas, harvest when the pods are plump but before they become too large and tough.
Snow peas should be picked when the pods are flat and before the peas inside start to swell.
Snap peas are best harvested when the pods are full and round but still tender.
Peas are best eaten fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
For long-term storage, blanch and freeze the peas.
If it’s your first time gardening, I’m of the belief that getting a win under your belt is a huge moment.
Kevin from Epic Gardening
Growing vegetables in your garden can be a rewarding experience, providing fresh, nutritious produce right at your doorstep.
Kevin from Epic Gardening said: “If it’s your first time gardening, I’m of the belief that getting a win under your belt is a huge moment.
“That first harvest is something you never forget.”
Lettuce is an easy vegetable to grow and can be harvest in as little as six weeks.
Varieties such as romaine, butterhead, and leaf offer a range of textures and flavours.
Lettuce prefers partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil.
It’s perfect for fresh salads and sandwiches, adding a crisp and refreshing element to your meals.
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in a home garden.
With varieties like cherry, beefsteak, and Roma, there’s a tomato for every use, whether it be for salads, sauces, or fresh eating.
Tomatoes thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and it is optional to grow them for 90-110 days.
They can be grown in containers or garden beds, making them versatile and suitable for various garden sizes.
Spring onions, also known as scallions, are easy to grow and a great vegetable to grow for beginners.
They prefer a sunny growing sight with light and well-drained soil and can be harvested when young and tender.
Spring onions need 8-12 weeks to grow after being sown and if you are growing them indoors you will need to water them regularly.
Another vegetable for beginners are green beans.
They are easy to grow and can be harvested after 45 to 72 days depending on the variety and weather conditions.
Varieties include bush and pole beans, each with its unique growth habits.
They require full sun and well-drained soil and you need to keep them well watered.
And lastly beetroot is a versatile and underrated root vegetable that can thrive in your garden.
Once harvested, it adds depth to soups, salads, and makes a delicious addition when roasted or pickled.
It adapts well to the UK climate, thriving in mild temperatures and benefiting from consistent moisture, making our frequent rainfall advantageous for its growth.
When planting beetroot seeds, select a sunny location with well-draining soil.
Space rows about 30cm apart and diligently weed around the plants to optimize growth.
Depending on the variety, beetroot plants vary in their growth duration and can take up to 10-12 weeks to grow.
Starting a vegetable patch in your garden is easy and can be done any time of the year.
The first thing you need to do is to choose the right location.
Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Vegetables thrive in sunlight, which is essential for their growth and productivity.
Then you need to decide on the size and layout of your patch.
Consider the space needed for each type of vegetable and how you will organize rows or raised beds.
Raised beds can be particularly beneficial for improving soil drainage and temperature control.
The next step on your list should be to prepare the soil.
Test your soil to understand its composition and pH level.
Most vegetables prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve fertility and structure.
You should also dig out perennial weeds like couch grass and bindweed.
After finding the perfect spot, created a layout and prepared the soil, you can select vegetables that are well-suited to your climate and growing season.
Consider factors such as frost dates, local climate conditions, and the length of your growing season.
If you have never grown your own vegetable it is best to choose easy to grow plants first.
Easy-to-grow crops include tomatoes, lettuce, beans or beetroot.
