Nothing says early summer or spring like fresh snap peas. In the elemental garden these seed pods represent fire. Energy storing up to produce the next generation of plants plucked while still young, tender, and sweet.
Peas at scale are challenging. From trellising, to hours harvesting, the pea patch can humble us. Its benefits are clear. Besides the delicious product, they fix nitrogen back into the soil, and companion plant well if managed properly. They also make for a truly great snack.
Peas, Pisum sativum, originate from Eurasia. For thousands of years they were cultivated as a dry storage crop, split pea soup anyone? The pea plant adapted across northern climates, spreading throughout the western half of the continent. In the 16th century, Holland growers developed the snow pea that opened the doors for fresh pea consumption.
The sugar snap pea has an even younger history. In the 20th century a plant breeder by the name of Calvin Lamborn was working on a project to make snow peas straighter. He crossed a snow pea with an English Pea creating a hybrid that did not need to be de-stringed! Including producing early sweet peas, Lamborn is also credited with breeding colored peas and edible pea greens.
Types
Field Pea- The oldest type of pea usually grown to full maturity or used as a cover crop.
English or shelling- This type is meant to be grown and harvested when green. The peas then need to be “shelled” separating the green peas inside. Delicious blanched and a truly under appreciated crop.
Sugar Snap- The ubiquitous snap peas to be eaten raw right off the vine. Adapted to fit the diverse needs of gardeners there are early bushy types, extra tall long season types, and a whole manner of blushes and colors.
Snow- Similar to a snap but can need to be de-stringed. Great in stir frys especially when harvested young. They have flatter pods when compared to other peas.
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