Pea

:Peas is also the name of a commune of the Marne département in France.

History and cultivation

Peas have been found in Near Eastern archaeological sites which date back nearly 10,000 years. Domesticated cultivars appeared relatively shortly after wheat and barley, which appear to have been cultivated as long ago as 7800BC. By 2000BC, pea cultivation had spread throughout Europe and east into India and China.

Related Topics:
Near East - Archaeological - Cultivar - Wheat - Barley - Cultivation - Europe - India - China

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Peas are a cool-season vegetable crop. The seeds may be planted as soon as the soil temperature reaches 10 °C, with the plants growing best at temperatures of 13 °C to 18 °C. They do not thrive in the summer heat of warmer temperate and lowland tropical climates, but do grow well in cooler high altitude tropical areas. Many cultivars reach maturity about 60 days after planting. Peas grow best in slightly acid, well-drained soils.

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Peas have both low-growing and vining varieties. The vining varieties grow thin tendrils that coil around any available support, and can climb to be 1-2 m high. A traditional approach to supporting climbing peas is to thrust branches pruned from trees or other woody plants upright into the soil, providing a lattice for the peas to climb. Branches used in this fashion are called pea brush. Metal fences, twine, or netting supported by a frame, are used for the same purpose. In dense plantings, peas give each other some measure of mutual support.

Related Topics:
Vining - Tree

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Crop rotation is important to avoid the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil; typically peas should only be replanted on the same site every fifth year.

Related Topics:
Crop rotation - Pest - Disease

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