High temperatures cause peas to become starchy, and potatoes don't set well in high temperatures. There are several types of peas that can be grown in Missouri including green or shell peas, snap peas and snow peas, Jett said. Always check the variety description in the seed catalog to make sure that your variety has excellent disease resistance. Peas can be seeded about 2 inches apart in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Some varieties grow vines longer than 30 inches and may need trellising, he said.
Some seed companies sell a 'pea fence,' which is actually woven wire for trellising peas.
The peas can be seeded on either side of the trellis. Mulching the peas keeps the soil cooler and will extend the harvest season, Jett said. Green peas should be harvested when the pods are full but not bulging. Peas are similar to zucchini in the sense that if you don't pick all of the peas, the plant will start shutting down and producing fewer peas. Snap peas are harvested when the peas and pods are plump.