The infamous frozen peas to alleviate a swollen wound is not the only fundamental of the vegetable coming from the legume family. These small vegetables are in fact packed with a lot of nutrients and carry far more health benefits than their size as one can perceive. Perhaps, even you wish to know more about this vegetable and want to add it to your veggie garden but you are not sure about the 'how to' and 'what to' of growing them at home. Planting peas does not require the care of a professional well-versed in it. Well, take no worry because we have made it easier for you. It's easy to grow exotic vegetables also at home. Here you will find the complete guide; all about the how to grow peas at home in pots or even growing peas in containers - whatever is convenient for you. Let’s first look at the nutritional factors and the health benefits peas provide for us.
The Nutritional Factors of Peas
Those small, radiant green little balls that we usually eat in our daily diet carry a lot of health benefits as well as nutrients for their size. You will be quite impressed by the amount of nutrition they contain and it'll make you reckon even more the choice of growing them in your own garden. For instance, they are a rich source for vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (natural chemicals produced by plants that have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for us) that provide a great number of benefits ranging from keeping our eyes healthy to providing protection against certain types of cancers.
Looking at the calorie count, half a cup can provide up to 62 calories. Along with a lot of fiber, they are packed with a high amount of protein that anyone can get from a plant-based source. It contains other nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, sodium, sugars and zinc as well.
The Health Benefits of Peas
With so many nutrients present in them, they are undoubtedly bound to contain a number of health benefits. For instance, they help regulate our blood sugar level since it has a lot of proteins and fibers. As a rich source of fiber, it also helps keep our digestion in check by keeping our guts healthy. The antioxidants present in peas help in improving our immune system and the anti-inflammatory nutrients help in keeping health issues like diabetes, arthritis and heart diseases in check and ensures a lower risk of acquiring them.
How to use them in food?
Peas are versatile and can be used in a wide variety of foods like gravies and curries to rice dishes like pulao. You can either stir-fry them with other veggies, boil them first or add them directly while cooking. Some peas are even fried to use as snacks and can be even incorporated in salads.
The Types of Peas
Before you go on further about knowing how to grow peas from seeds, let’s look at the types of peas that we find out there. There are essentially three types of pea seeds – English peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas.
How to grow Peas at home in India
1. The best time for green Peas planting and preparing the soil
An approximated time of four to six weeks before the span of the temperature falling to 0 degrees Celsius or lower than that is best. Peas are grown in the cold weather. Thus, a temperature of about 4 degrees Celsius would be beneficial. A place that has a good amount of sunlight is the ideal location as well as the ability for a good drain. The time period between September to November is a good time to prepare your soil. Make sure to mix in manure and compost. Avoid planting peas in the same spot until a four-year time period has passed. While planting green peas in the garden remember, Phosphorus and potassium are essential components to fertilize the plant. Make sure there isn't any excessive nitrogen present as it might cause a foliage growth instead.
2. How to plant the Peas?
Now we're at the stage to learn about how to grow peas from seeds. If you are planting directly in a garden, then plant two inches deep leaving a space of about one or two inches from each plant. Ensure that moisture is always present. If you are planting it indoors, select a spot near the window that receives direct sunlight for five to six hours in a container that has drain holes. Leave an inch worth of space on the top while you fill the whole container with soil. Stakes or bamboo poles can be used to support the plant. For the germination phase (about 9-13 days), ensure that the seeds are in an area that is slightly shaded after which move them to a place which receives direct sunlight. It's very important to take care of seeds to get high yield later on.If growing peas in a container, a sort of trellis is essential for the plant.
3. How to take care of your plant?
Since peas require a cool climate, ensure you provide them with plenty of water and do not overdo it. They do not need a lot of fertilizer but the ones being grown containers require a moderate amount. Pests can be avoided by standard inspection and streams of water to the stems as well as the leaves. One should know how to protect the home garden in winters so plants give high yield.
4. How to harvest them?
After about 55 days to 80 days is the best time to harvest the peas. Morning time after the dew has been dried by the sun is the best time. Utilize both your hands as you harvest the peas - one to steady the vine and the other to pull the peas so that you do not damage the plant.
About Urja Seeds
Whether you're looking for normal pea seeds or any other hybrid seeds, we have it all for you. We provide premium quality of exotic seeds, vegetable seeds, microgreen seeds and flower seeds. We have PAN India delivery of seeds online so you get your wonderful plants right at your doorstep.
FAQs
Q1. What are the three types of peas?
Ans: English peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas are the three types of peas.
Q2. When is the best time to plant peas?
Ans: During the cooler climate periods.
Q3. Can peas be planted at home?
Ans: Peas can be planted at home with proper care.