Massey Gem | Garden Pea Seed

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pisum sativum

CULTURE: Peas are a cool-weather crop. Midsummer pickings are not as prolific as earlier harvests. For best yields ensure adequate fertility and a pH of 6.5-6.8. Adjust pH with ground limestone or wood ash, ideally in the autumn prior to spring planting. Plant the first sowing in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. In well-drained soil, sow 25-40mm apart in a 75mm band (25 seeds/30cm), 20-35mm deep. Do not thin. Varieties under 90cm tall can be sown without support in rows 30-45cm apart. For taller varieties, use crop supports such as a trellis net to keep vines upright, easy to pick and off the ground to prevent rot. Suspend the bottom of the trellis just above the young plants. Install the trellis at planting time. Normal row spacing is 1.2m-1.8m for trellised peas. Harvest when peas enlarge in the pods.

WINTER/ SPRING CROP: Plant from June with frost protection to September, powdery mildew resitant varieties to mid November

AUTUMN CROP: Choose powdery mildew resistant varieties. Sow about 2 months before frost. Keep seeds well watered to encourage good germination.

INOCULANT: Inoculate peas to encourage formation of nitrogen-producing nodules on the plant roots. This enriches the soil, results in larger plants, and increases yield.

TREATED SEEDS: Treated seeds are less susceptible to rotting in prolonged cold, wet weather.

DISEASES: A common disease is pea root rot (Fusarium sp. or Aphanomyces euteiches) which causes yellowing and die-back of foliage from the ground up. The best control is to ensure well-drained soil and to rotate crops out of legumes for at least three years. Powdery mildew causes white, powdery mold on the leaves, stems, and pods in hot weather. Choose resistant varieties.

HARVEST: Harvesting regularly will increase overall production. Pick once or twice weekly to encourage ongoing cropping

FREEZING: All our peas are good for freezing

AVG. SEEDING RATE: 500g per 27 metres, 6kg/330m, 125kg /acre at 25 seeds/30cm, in rows 60cm apart.

SEED SPECS: Avg 3,600 seeds/kg

DAYS TO MATURITY: 60-65 days

Life Cycle: Annual

Disease Resistance: Powdery mildew

Hybrid Status: Open Pollinated