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Vegetable Gardening

Fall peas

15 years ago

Hi all!

As some of you know, I lost the bulk of my spring pea crop to a well-meaning but not very smart neighbor armed with a string trimmer.

As a result, I am planning to plant 2 varieties of peas for a fall crop. I have never planted a fall crop of peas before. Now, I am western NY, Zone 5/borderline 6, and sometimes we do get a first fall frost around 9/15. The 2 varieties I am planting are Utrillo and Mr. Big, both supposed to be good for fall. I also have some Alderman seed I can try as a fall crop, too, but....

Each of these varieties needs 70+ days to reach maturity, which would mean a plant-out day of 7/1, at least. Is this DOABLE in my zone, or should I just wait for pea planting next spring?

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Comments (4)

Belgianpup
15 years ago
Why not give it a try? Then you'll know for next year (or the next neighbor).

Actually, peas are fairly hardy, and can often tolerate a light frost, esp if it comes gradually. And you never know with the weather patterns these days... your frost date may be extended a couple of weeks this year.

You really haven't lost an awful lot if you fail. And if you cover them with a floating row cover, it may give a little more protection, and give you a few more days of peas.

We're gardeners... we LIKE living dangerously! Every day a new thrill and a new learning experience.

Sue
susaneden
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Sue--I think I will give it a try. At least I won't have to worry about the neighbor again (he now knows what peas look like :D)
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Hmmm... I generally plant pea seeds directly into the garden in August and my first frost is the first week of October. Your dates sound pretty good to me. HOWEVER, the date of the first frost isn't a sure thing. Last year the first frost was the first week of Sept and other years it waited until end of October. Also, the first frosts likely won't harm the peas as they can take it. The above paragraph is my way of saying go ahead and plant a little earlier and stagger your planting. If you get an early winter your planting earlier still gets you a yield and if your winter comes late your later plantings will give you a higher yield. I wouldn't bother starting the seeds inside for a fall planting though as the soil outside will be warm and result in rapid germination with no need for transplanting. It is spring when I indoor germinate seeds.
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In North Texas, to get fall green peas, we have to start before planting by covering the dirt with shade to cool it down. I have started late peas this way once in middle August and it worked fairly well, except mildew attacked despite the heat, or probably because of the humidity. Get the dirt ready and cover with old carpet AND tent some shade cloth over the area. Plan to keep the sprouts and then plants shaded at all times. Plant directly and keep watered. Might be more trouble than it is worth.
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I don't want to invite the groundhog back. That's the only thing he eats in the garden - peas - two years in a row, the one year I planted twice. I didn't plant any this Spring. Really missed those fresh peas, tho. One year I tried the Tom Thumb peas in an urn up in the formal garden with a mini trellis. Only got about a dozen pods with one or two peas in each! ha Would love to have a bed the size of yours.
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Fall crops have always done better than spring for my peas. Now is probably a good time to plant where you are. Here our first frost is Oct5 and I planted my peas 2weeks ago. Fruit maturing in cool weather makes them big and sweet and production is improved.
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sinfonian
15 years ago
Since peas are a cool-weather crop, I'm going to try them under my hoop cover this winter (fall to however long they last). I figure my lettuce, spinach, broccoli, carrots and radishes should all fair well under a hoop cover in fall and maybe most of the winter. Why shouldn't peas work? At least in Seattle the temp shouldn't drop below freezing under a mini-greenhouse. Just a thought. As Sue said, live dangerously, but grow your own tomatoes, because home-grown aren't dangerous.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure
momamamo
15 years ago
I have a book (Joy of Gardening) that discusses fall gardens and lists planting dates. Peas require 6-10 weeks prior to the average frost date. I don't know yours but I'm sure you do. LOL

Happy planning! Maureen

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