Pea 

Pisum, P. Sativum 

Overview:

Difficulty Codes: 

  • Harvesting Codes 
    • Green = EASY 
    • Yellow = MODERATE
    • Red = DIFFICULT 
      • The plant is moderate to harvest (yellow)
      • The pea needs to be firm and plump 
  • Growing Codes 
    • White = EASY 
    • Gray = MODERATE 
    • Blue = DIFFICULT
      • The plant is easy to grow (white)
      • Important to note that the growing period is limited and is crucial in determining a good yield 
Planting Instructions: 
  • Average soil with full sun (6+ hours)
  • The planting depth is 1 inch 
  • Space the seeds 2 inches apart 
  • Seedlings will appear in 7 to 14 days 
Harvesting:
  •  58 - 65 days 
  • Harvest when the plant is firm and plump 
Water Requirements: 
  • Soil should be moist 
  • Water the soil not the vines 
 History:
  • Unknown 
  • In the Mediterranean region, the wild plant is native there 
  • Remains can date back to the Neolithic Period 
  • The plant would be introduced to the Americas 
  • The most famous use of peas was by Gregor Mendel and his heredity studies 
Health Benefits:
  • Great source of protein 
  • Can improve management of blood sugar 
  • Support heart and digestive health 
  • Contains antioxidants and saponins which can reduce the risk of cancer 
Recipe Ideas: 
  • Soup 
  • Puree
  • Hummus 
  • Pancetta and Pea Pasta 
Facts:
  • 7,175 peas were eaten in 1 hour using chopsticks in the Guinness World Record 
  • In Thailand, a 3,000-year-old pea was found 
  • A pea can weigh .1 to .36 grams 
References:

Butterfield, M. (2019, March 21). 10 fun facts about peas! One Hundred Dollars a Month. Retrieved from https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/10-fun-facts-about-peas/

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, March 3). Pea. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/plant/pea

Katia. (2021, March 10). Pea recipes: 17 easy delicious ideas. The clever meal. Retrieved from https://theclevermeal.com/pea-recipes/

Nutritionist, N. S. – R. (2023, February 9). Top 5 health benefits of peas. BBC Good Food. Retrieved from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-peas

Peacascadia. CC GROW. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.phytotheca.com/phytotheca/pea-garden-cascadia/