Garden peas require a rather rich and friable soil with good drainage
in order that the first plantings may be made early in the spring.
Fertilizers that are high in nitrogenous matter should not be applied
to the land immediately before planting, as they will have a tendency
to produce too great growth of vines at the expense of pods. Land that
has been well manured the previous year will be found satisfactory
without additional fertilizer. A sandy loam is to be preferred for
growing peas, but a good crop may be produced on clay soils; however,
the pods will be a few days later in forming. Peas are easily grown
and form one of the most palatable of garden products. For the best
results peas should be planted in the bottom of a furrow 6 inches
in depth and the seeds covered with not more than 2 or 3 inches of
soil. If the soil is heavy the covering should be less than 2 inches.
After the plants attain a height of 4 or 5 inches the soil should be
worked in around them until the trench is filled. The rows for peas
should be 3 feet apart for the dwarf sorts and 4 feet apart for the
tall kinds. A pint of seed will plant about 100 feet of single row.
Many growers follow the practice of planting in a double row with a
6-inch space between. The double-row method is especially adapted for
the varieties that require some form of support, as a trellis can be
placed between the two rows. Brush stuck in the ground will answer for
a support for the peas to climb upon. Three-foot poultry netting makes
a desirable trellis. If peas are planted for autumn use, the earliest
varieties should be employed. The first plantings should be of such
varieties as Alaska or Gradus, which make a small but quick growth,
and may or may not be provided with supports. The dwarf sorts like
American Wonder come on later, require very little care, and produce
peas of fine quality. The tall-growing sorts of the Telephone type are
desirable for still later use on account of their large production and
excellent quality. Sugar peas have tender pods and if gathered very
young the pods may be eaten in the same manner as snap beans. In order
to maintain a continuous supply of fresh peas, plantings should be made
every ten days or two weeks during the spring months, beginning as soon
as the ground can be worked. In the extreme South peas may be grown
during the entire winter.--(F. B. 255; N. C. E. S. 132; Mich. E. S. 20,
190; S. Dak. E. S. 85, 91; Del. E. S. 41; Colo. E. S. 172.)