By Tammy Thornton
Aren’t we all a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day? Gardeners can celebrate the holiday by keeping the age-old tradition of planting peas. By March 17, the ground is usually workable, but the weather is still cold, providing the perfect conditions for planting this cool-season vegetable. Since peas are not heat tolerant, the goal is to grow and harvest them before summer heat sets in.
Ideally, plant your peas 4-6 weeks before the last frost. You can find your average last frost date by searching almanac.com using your zip code. For most of our Shore Local News area, this will be around April 23. But even if it snows, not to fear, peas can handle a light frost or snow. Some old-time farmers even believe a light snow will make for tastier peas.
Soaking the dry, hard seeds in water for 8-24 hours before planting will soften them and aid in germination. Plant your pea seeds one inch deep and two inches apart. As the peas grow, you will want to provide them with some type of trellis, but it’s best to put this in place at planting time so you don’t disturb the roots later. Bamboo canes make good supports for peas since the vines are lightweight. Forming the bamboo into a teepee shape is a fun way to get children involved. For a free support, use twiggy branches on smaller dwarf varieties of peas.
Check peas frequently as they can be ready to pick as soon as a week after flowering and will turn from sweet to starchy if left on the vine too long. For optimum flavor, harvest right before cooking or be sure to refrigerate or freeze them since cooling peas quickly will help them retain sweetness. For the earliest harvest, snip young pea shoots and tendrils, which are also edible and will give a fresh, exotic flair to your dishes.
I’ll leave you wish an Irish blessing:
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
