The harvest of peas depends on the variety and the intended use. Crunchy, fresh peas as snack vegetables are picked at a different time than dried peas. This is how you hit the harvest precisely.
When should you harvest peas?
When is the right time to harvest peas? Harvest sugar peas when the kernels are visible through the pod. For pale peas, pick the pods when they appear plump and firm. Peas for fresh consumption should be harvested green when the kernels can be felt through the pod.
Pick multiple times for best harvest quality
There is a period of 3 to 4 months between sowing and harvesting. Since the pods of the individual varieties do not ripen at the same time, the plants are picked repeatedly. If ripe peas remain on the bush for too long, quality is compromised.
- Harvest sugar peas when the grains can be seen through the pod
- Pick pale peas when the pods appear plump and firm
- Harvest the green peas for fresh consumption when the grains can be felt through the pod
The optimal time for harvesting peas has passed when the grains emerge through the pods and feel hard. The time cannot be chosen early enough to eat them raw, because then you will be picking particularly tender peas.
Harvest dry peas and seeds later
Peas that you have intended to serve as seeds for the next season stay on the plant longer. They are only harvested when they are fully ripe, when the pods have already started to dry.
The same applies to the part of the harvest that is used in the kitchen as dried peas. These pods will dry for some time in an airy place. Instead of having to laboriously remove the grains from each pod, this harvest quality is ideal for threshing.
Fresh from the bed to the freezer
Fresh peas are a culinary delight. Because the grains can only be stored for 2 to 3 days after harvest, they are a rarity in the trade. As a hobby gardener, you enjoy the privilege of eating fresh peas. Excess harvest quantities go into the freezer.
- get the peas out of the pod
- blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes
- Let it cool down and immediately fill it into freezer bags
At a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius, the peas can be kept for 1 year.
Tips & Tricks
After harvesting, cut the plants close to the ground and leave the roots in the soil. The root mass releases plenty of nitrogen and enriches the soil nutritiously for subsequent crops.
