Guide for Sprouting Pea Tendrils
Fresh Take:
Growing pea shoots for a quick, nutrient-packed crop right in your tiny spaces is easy! Suited for both outdoor soil or indoor window sills, these tasty shoots offer a wealth of vitamins A, B6, E, K, and are particularly rich in vitamin C.
All About Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are the tender, young emerging parts of pea plants, including shoots and tendrils. Unlike pea pods, pea shoots crop up in just two to three weeks. They can thrive indoors or outdoors, whereas pea pods require spring and summer conditions. With the ability to grow peas for shoots year-round indoors, ditch those pricey store-bought packs for a homemade, economical option.
Pea Shoot Growing Guide
Remember not to take peas from plants meant for pea pods since it weakens them.
You can grow pea shoots using pea seeds from large packs or rehydrated dried peas made for eating. To rehydrate, simply soak the peas in water for 24 hours before sowing.
For soil-based growth, prepare a trench 15-20 cm wide and 8-10 cm deep using a rake or hoe. In containers, choose shallow, wide ones, up to 10 cm deep. Meticulously fill the pot with peat-free potting compost.
Pro Tips
- Water thoroughly before sowing the peas across the soil surface, providing space of about a centimeter between seeds.
- Top with a thin layer of compost or soil, then water lightly.
- Keep the compost or soil consistently moist as your pea shoots sprout and grow.
- Regular watering also stimulates more frequent harvests.
How to Harvest Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are ready to snip when they tower about 10-15 cm tall. Using scissors or your fingers and thumb, clip or cut the shoots just above the first pair of leaves. Make sure not to let the shoots grow too tall to prevent fibrous and chewy texture.
Dishes to Savor Pea Shoots
Enjoy pea shoots raw in salads, sandwiches, or cook them in stir-fries and serve as a side dish. With the knowledge of how to grow and harvest pea shoots with maximum nutritional benefits, fill your meals with delicious, healthful ingredients.
Additional Insights:
- For the best nutritional benefits, opt for varieties like Pea Dunn or similar peas with fast growth and high nutrient content when growing indoors.
- Before moving seedlings to light, mist regularly for a blackout phase and maintain them in a warm, dark location.
- For longer shelf life and crispness, keep the temperature around 65°F to 75°F.
- Outdoor growth prefers a location with at least 6 hours of sunshine and fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Plant seeds in rows or when the soil temperature reaches 40°F for optimum outdoor growth.
- Supporting pea shoots with a simple trellis helps maintain their upright stature.
- Harvest pea shoots between 10 to 14 days after transferring them to sunlight.
- Freeze excess pea shoots for preservation to maintain freshness for future use.
- Good airflow among outdoor pea shoots helps ward off diseases like powdery mildew.
Pea shoots, a quick and nutrient-rich crop, can also be grown in a home-and-garden setting, especially for those interested in home-and-garden lifestyle and gardening. Whether grown in outdoor soil or indoor containers, these shoots thrive year-round, providing fresh, vitamin-packed ingredients for various dishes.
