How To Grow Peas In Pots For A Delicious Harvest In No Time

There are many benefits to growing a container garden, from greater control over soil conditions to easier access, since there is no kneeling or bending required, unlike a traditional garden. While peas may not be the first plant that comes to mind when planning your container garden, these edible vegetables thrive when planted in pots — so long as you choose the right variety and provide the right care.

Chances are, when you think of a pea, you think of that iconic green pod. However, there is a wide variety of pea types, each with its own cultivars. And, when you're working with so many different varieties, care can look different for each one. As a result, the number one step when learning how to grow peas in pots is to choose the right variety for your goal. After all, not every type of pea can handle the environment that comes along with growing in a pot. Speaking of pots, it's equally important to choose the right container for your pea plant, giving it plenty of room to grow (and climb if needed).

If you want to grow peas in your very own container garden, learning more about the options available can be a helpful place to start. This includes familiarizing yourself with the mature size of your preferred pea plant and whether it needs additional support for climbing. Once you've nailed down which type of pea to grow, you can start addressing the care requirements.

Although choosing the right pea variety for your container garden is one of the most important steps, it can also be the most personal. For example, if you're looking for a pea variety with continuous production, then a vining variety may be best for you. However, since these grow so tall, they do require extra support, often in the form of a trellis. Non-climbing dwarf pea varieties — which only grow to a maximum of 3 feet, compared to a vining's 8 — are often top picks for container gardens since they're easier to care for. Some examples of container-garden-friendly compact pea varieties include Sugar Ann snap peas, Dwarf Grey Sugar snow peas, and Green Arrow garden peas.

Day-to-day care depends largely on the variety you choose. However, peas are overall easy to grow, making them the perfect plant for beginner gardeners. They need little to no fertilizer and at least six hours of sunlight each day to grow successfully. Fortunately, when planted in a pot, you can easily move your pea plant around for adequate sunlight as needed. You can even grow your peas indoors in the winter before moving them outside. Peas do best with consistent, deep watering that doesn't leave the soil waterlogged. Although growing peas is easy, this part can be tricky, as there's a fine line between soil that's too wet, which can lead to rot, and soil that's too dry, which won't produce any pods. With the right care, you can expect to harvest your potted pea plants in around two months.