Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. Allowing the soil to dry out will decrease emergence. Thin plants to 12 inches apart and mulch with straw or dry bluegrass clippings to keep the soil moist and cool. Hot weather and water stress will cause the plants to taste bitter. When mature, they become an edible landscape that can add excitement to salads.
Peas are difficult to grow in the spring garden.
By the time they mature, the weather has turned hot, reducing their quality, he said. Little Marvel' is an early English pea that has been moderately successful in New Mexico. Rather than shelling the peas, the immature pods can be eaten whole, just like green beans. For stir-fry dishes, try growing snow peas. Harvest when the pods are relatively flat.