As a gardener, I’m always eager to get my peas growing as early as possible. After all fresh garden peas are infinitely tastier than store-bought frozen peas. However patience is required, as transplanting pea seedlings at the right time is key to getting a productive pea harvest. In this article, I’ll walk through when and how to transplant pea seedlings for the best results.
An Overview on Peas
Before we talk about moving seedlings, let’s take a quick look at peas. There are four main types of peas: English peas, snow peas, snap peas, and shelling peas. English peas and shelling peas grow in pods that aren’t edible and need to be removed. Snow peas and snap peas have edible pods. Peas can also be put into groups based on how they grow. Tall vining types need trellises, while dwarf bush types grow lower to the ground.
Peas are cool weather loving plants, thriving in temperatures between 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit. In most climates, they are grown as a spring and/or fall crop. Peas don’t transplant well in the heat of summer. They also don’t love nitrogen-rich fertilizers which encourage leaf growth over fruit/pod production.
When to Start Peas Indoors
Peas are usually started three to four weeks before the last spring frost in places where the growing season is short. This gives them a head start on growth. However, peas actually germinate better with direct outdoor sowing. Always use clean seed starting mix when starting indoors, and place seedlings in a sunny window or under lights.
Pay close attention to the seed packet or plant tag to determine how many weeks before your last spring frost date to start growing peas indoors. Plan for transplanting seedlings when they are 3-4 inches tall and when outdoor soil temperatures reach at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Optimal Time for Transplanting Pea Seedlings
As mentioned above, the ideal window for transplanting pea seedlings outdoors is when the seedlings have 3-4 sets of true leaves and outdoor soils reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplanting before this temp is achieved risks stunting plant growth in cool soils. Waiting too long leads to leggy and stressed plants.
Here are a few more signs your seedlings are ready for transplant:
- Roots are filling out seed starting cells
- Seedling stems are thickening
- Seedling leaves are dark green in color
Be sure to “harden off” seedlings for 7-10 days before transplant by slowly exposing them to outdoor conditions. This toughens them up for transplant shock.
How to Transplant Pea Seedlings
When transplant day arrives, start preparations by watering seedlings well and preparing garden beds. Dig trenches for peas 6 inches deep and amend soil with compost. Space trenches 4-6 inches apart. Gently remove seedlings from cells and plant them 2-3 inches apart in trenches, taking care not to damage roots. Water transplants well and provide trellising for vining varieties to climb.
Optimal Transplant Conditions
Beyond soil temperature, a few other environmental factors contribute to successful pea seedling transplantation:
Sunlight
Transplant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to avoid hot sun damaging tender seedlings.
Spacing
Give peas proper spacing for air circulation and access to sunlight.
Soil
Peas need well-draining yet moisture retentive soil. Incorporate compost to enrich soil.
Water
Ensure consistent moisture, especially right after transplanting.
Weather
Avoid transplanting before heavy rains which could displace seedlings.
Troubleshooting Transplant Issues
Even if transplant timing and conditions are perfect, you may encounter problems. Here are some common transplant troubles and solutions:
Leggy seedlings – Improve light conditions when starting indoors
Root bound plants – Loosen roots before planting; bury stem deeper
Drooping leaves – Plant didn’t get enough water after transplanting
Stunted growth – Could be from cold soil temps or transplant shock
Pest damage – Use row covers to protect seedlings after transplanting
Disease – Avoid overcrowding and promote air circulation
Direct Sowing Peas as an Alternative
While transplanting extends the harvest, some gardeners opt to direct sow peas right in the garden bed. This avoids transplant shock and encourages faster germination. Direct sow seeds 1-2 inches deep in prepared garden beds once soil reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds densely, thinning later to proper spacing. Expect harvest 1-2 weeks faster than transplanting.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to successfully move your pea seedlings to a new location. Let the plants grow up properly indoors, and then move them outside when the weather is right. If you take good care of your plants, you’ll have bowls full of sweet peas by late spring. Just remember to save some for when you want to eat them as you walk through the garden. There’s nothing better than a pea that you just picked from the vine.
Step Two to Plant Peas
If youre growing a vining pea variety, use a dibber to dig a trench thats not quite 1″ deep. Make sure this trench is right up next to the structure you intend for it to climb. You can dig a second hole about 2″ away from the first one to plant a second row of peas spaced out.
For bush peas, dig holes about 6 inches deep with a dibber. You can plant 4 bush peas per square foot in the garden.
How to Harvest Peas
When it comes to harvesting peas, you want to keep “early and often” in mind. If you’re growing a type that grows on vines, pick the peas as soon as they’re big enough to eat. Then, come out often to pick more. Keeping the plant well picked frees up energy to grow more pods. That might mean picking a couple pods every day during the peak of your plants production.
If youre growing a snap pea, the pods will be sweetest before the peas inside have swelled up enough to really press against the sides of the shell. Waiting too long to harvest gives the sugars inside the pod more time to turn into starch, which can eventually make the pod inedible.
To harvest peas, use a clean pair of pruners to cut the stem right above the pod. Start at the base of the pea plant and work your way up as you look for pods ready to be enjoyed. I know its tempting to just pull peas off the vine with your fingers, but you risk damaging the vine, which would end the pea party. One of my kids accidentally pulled an entire plant out of the ground once (peas have shallow root systems).
Each plant should produce at least 20 to 30 pods. Thats a lot when it comes to fruiting plants, but youll need a lot of pods to feed your family (especially since fresh, tender peas have a way of disappearing before they even make it indoors at my house).
The Secret to Successfully Transplanting Peas
FAQ
When should I transplant my pea seedlings?
Transplant your seedlings into the garden when they are between 2-4” tall.
What should not be planted next to peas?
Peas: Don’t plant near chives, garlic, leeks, onions, peppers.
How big should peas be before planting out?
The pea plants can be planted out when they are 10cm high.
How long to let seedlings grow before transplanting?
Tips Before You Transplant Make sure that your seedling is about 2-3 inches high before transplanting. We also recommend transplanting a seedling after its two “true leaves” first come out.