Peas are one of the most beneficial vegetables to grow in your garden. They are legumes which means they are nitrogen-fixing plants. They develop bacteria nodules on their roots which hold nitrogen, making them attractive to other plants which require the nitrogen. Peas serve the dual purpose of giving the gardener a tasty vegetable to eat and providing a supply of nitrogen to neighboring plants.

Peas are cold tolerant and can be planted in January or February. They will be one of the first vegetables to mature and a crunchy pea pod will be enjoyed before the remainder of the garden plants are even awake. Numerous varieties of peas are available with some maturing in as little as 50 days. Pea pods can be picked before fully formed, when the peas are flat, and used as a stirfry vegetable. They are also great raw in salads or they may be pickled. Lightly cooking preserves crispness and flavor and maintains the vitamin integrity.

Soak peas overnight before planting in moist, loose soil with good drainage. Don't water until the peas are up as the seed may rot if the ground is too wet.

Peas require support to remain upright to keep the vegetable off the ground. A string or wooden trellis will assist the plants by allowing it to have a base to aide while growing. Also, more sunlight will be available and this also will produce a healthier, better producing plant. One end of the garden could be trellised and different varieties planted at intervals to assure a continual supply of peas. Bush type peas are also available and they require no stabilizing.

Picking the peas daily will encourage additional blossoming and deliver longer lasting results. When picking, do not jerk the plant or part of the vine may tear off. Develop a technique of snapping the pod off by using your thumb or fingernail.

Peas will stop producing when the weather gets warm, or if the pea pods are not picked and allowed to harden. They require substantial water, but powdery mildew may follow with over-head watering, so a system of ground watering is recommended.

The season for peas seems short, so plant plenty, pick regularly, and freeze or cook right after picking. The flavor will be sweet, the texture crisp, and the total package healthy.