Pisum Sativum Seeds

Uses

• Field peas that are used to feed livestock are grown in the northern U.S. The plants don’t vine as much as those grown for human consumption and produce nutritious forage. Most of the Pisum sativum seeds grown in the U.S. produce plants destined for human consumption. Because of the plant’s ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, it is frequently used as green manure, grown and tilled into the soil where it returns nitrogen to the soil at a rate of 25 pounds per acre.

Germination

• Pisum sativum seeds require a cool climate in which to germinate. The ideal temperature range is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Some varieties can withstand frost damage and grow new shoots when the frost has passed. The season typically runs 60 days from planting the seed until the P. sativum plant blooms, and then 20 to 30 days from bloom to harvest, which typically occurs in August.

Planting

• Pisum sativum seeds require heavily tilled soil that is subsequently firmed without compacting it. Maintaining the required soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is a delicate balance, as excessive lime in the soil may cause a manganese deficiency in the P. sativum plants. Seeds are generally sown in the fall or winter in regions with warm winters, and in spring or early summer in temperate climates. The ideal soil temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Care

• Pisum sativum beds need to be kept weed-free so that the plant isn’t required to compete for moisture and nutrients. Cultivate shallowly and carefully to avoid damaging the P. sativum seedling. Provide the pea plants with 1 inch of water a week if it doesn’t rain. Water the plant at the soil and not overhead, to avoid fungal diseases on its foliage. When fertilizer is mixed into the soil at planting, P. sativum requires no fertilizer during the growing season. Add 1 pound of 11-48-0 per square foot at planting.