How Do Pea Pods Form?

Pea Pods & Seeds

• Pea pods contain the seeds of future pea plants. Those that have been left on the vine will eventually dry and sometimes split, revealing the seeds within. Peas are a cool-weather crop, and seeds are generally planted as soon as the ground is warm enough to work, according to Ohio State University writer Marianne Riofrio. Seeds should be planted in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.7. Sow the seeds 1 inch deep in heavy soils and 1-1/2 inches deep in sandy soils. Train vining varieties on trellises. Dwarf or bush varieties do not need to be staked on trellises.

Pea Plant Flowers

• Pea pods develop from the flowers that bloom on the plants. These delicate flowers will eventually dry out and fall off, leaving a small, pod-shaped extension at the leaf axil, the area where the flower connects to the plant stem. Problems with flowering will prevent achieving a good yield of pea pods. Fusarium wilt and root rot disease can affect pod production.

How Pea Pods Form

• The pea pods begin to add cells and grow. As they develop, they take on more of the characteristic pea pod shape. They not only elongate, but they increase in girth as the peas inside the pod ripen. With proper fertilizer, water and sunlight, they reach their mature size.

Mature Pea Pods

• Pea pods are ready for harvest in 50 to 75 days, depending on the variety. The pods are ready for harvest when they are plump and swollen, according to the University of Illinois Extension website. You may be able to see the outline of the peas inside the pod. Pea pods on the lower portion of the plant mature first. For best flavor and texture, do not leave pea pods on the vine after their mature point. They become starchy and tough. The smaller pods are sweeter and more tender. Pea pods can only be refrigerated for 2 or 3 days. Even in the refrigerator, the sugar within the vegetable turns to starch quickly.