Growing Peas on an Allotment

Peas are a classic, rewarding allotment crop. They’re easy to grow, improve soil health by fixing nitrogen, and taste vastly better fresh than shop-bought. With the right timing, supports, and watering, peas crop reliably in beds or containers from late spring into summer.

This guide covers how to grow peas from seed or plug plants, when to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, pests and diseases, container vs ground growing, and proven ways to improve yields.

🌱 1. Types of Peas You Can Grow

🌿 Garden (Shelling) Peas

• Sweet peas shelled from pods

• Classic allotment pea

• Good for freezing

🌿 Mange Tout

• Flat pods eaten whole

• Harvested young

• Very quick cropping

🌿 Sugar Snap Peas

• Plump, crunchy pods

• Eaten whole

• Excellent flavour and yields

🌿 Early, Maincrop & Late Varieties

• Early: smaller plants, earlier harvest

• Maincrop: taller, heavier yields

• Late: extend the season

🌰 2. Ways to Grow Peas

From Seed (Most Common)

Pros

• Cheap and reliable

• Wide choice of varieties

• Strong root systems

Cons

• Seeds can be eaten by mice

Plug Plants

Young pea plants grown in modules.

Pros

• Faster start

• Less seed loss to pests

• Useful for early or late sowings

Cons

• More expensive

• Limited availability

👉 Both methods work well — timing and protection at the start matter most.

🗓️ 3. When to Sow & Plant Peas

From Seed

• Under cover: Feb–March

• Outdoors: March–June

• Succession sow: Every 2–3 weeks until early summer

Plug Plants

• Plant out: March–June

Peas prefer cool conditions and tolerate light frost once established.

🌾 4. How to Grow Peas in the Ground

Soil & Position

• Free-draining soil

• Open, sunny site

• Compost added before sowing

Avoid freshly manured soil — it causes leafy growth and fewer pods.

Spacing

• Between plants: 5–8cm

• Between rows: 30–45cm (depending on variety height)

Crowding increases mildew and reduces airflow.

Supports (Essential)

Peas climb using tendrils and need support:

• Netting

• Twiggy sticks

• Canes and string

Install supports at sowing time.

🪴 5. Growing Peas in Containers

Peas grow well in containers, especially compact varieties.

Container Guidelines

• Depth: 25–30cm minimum

• Use multi-purpose or veg compost

• Provide netting or small canes

Containers dry out faster — water more often in warm weather.

💧 6. Watering Peas

Peas need consistent moisture, especially when flowering.

Best Practice

• Water regularly in dry spells

• Focus on flowering and pod formation stages

• Mulch to conserve moisture

Drought causes:

• flowers dropping

• poor pod filling

• tough peas

🌿 7. Feeding Peas

Peas are light feeders.

Feeding Rules

• Compost before sowing is usually enough

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers

• Optional light feed if growth is weak

Overfeeding = leaf growth instead of pods.

🐛 8. Common Pests & Diseases

Birds & Mice

• Eat seeds and young shoots

Control

• Cover with mesh or fleece

• Start seeds in modules

Pea Moth

Symptoms

• Maggots inside pods

Prevention

• Early sowing

• Harvest promptly

• Remove crop residues

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms

• White coating on leaves

Prevention

• Good spacing

• Consistent watering

• Grow mildew-resistant varieties

🧺 9. Harvesting Peas

When to Harvest

• Pick pods while peas are small and sweet

• Harvest every 2–3 days

Leaving pods too long:

• reduces sweetness

• signals plant to stop producing

Use two hands to avoid damaging vines.

🌾 10. Improving Pea Yields

• Sow early and succession sow

• Provide strong supports

• Water during flowering

• Harvest frequently

• Remove old plants promptly

Peas reward attention, not heavy feeding.

⚡ Quick Pea Growing Tips

• Fresh peas taste best picked young

• Tall varieties usually crop more

• Mulch to keep roots cool

• Leave roots in soil after harvest to improve fertility

🧠 Key Pea Principles

• Cool conditions suit peas best

• Water during flowering is critical

• Supports improve airflow and yield

• Harvest often for sweetness

Photo by Ella Heineman on Unsplash