Spring peas should be sown as early as possible, ideally in late February or early March.
Crop Rotation for Peas
Peas and other legumes should not be grown on the same plot of land for at least four years. Peas intended for processing should be sown after winter cereals, rapeseed, potatoes, or sugar beets. Corn is not a suitable predecessor because it leaves behind a significant amount of organic matter, which can hinder proper preparation for early spring sowing. Peas are an excellent precursor for many agricultural crops because they leave the soil early due to their short growing season, allowing for the potential cultivation of a second crop. Additionally, peas leave behind approximately 100 kg/ha of organic nitrogen in the soil.
Sowing Peas
Early sown crops cover the soil and reduce weed growth, and they complete their growth cycle before dry periods. Peas are sown at a depth of 4 – 6 cm in heavier soils and 6 – 8 cm in lighter, sandier (warmer) soils, with mandatory soil rolling or using a drill with a roller to press the seed row.
Low-growing cultivars are sown in double, triple, or quadruple rows with a spacing of 60 cm between rows. Tall cultivars are sown in double rows spaced 60 – 80 cm apart to allow access for multiple harvests. For tall cultivars, supports are placed between rows; these can be branches or plastic mesh supported by stakes. In pure culture, 80 – 100 viable seeds per square meter are sown, equivalent to 200 – 250 kg/ha, depending on the absolute weight of the seeds. Sowing should be completed by mid-March, coinciding with the start of other spring agricultural activities. The later the sowing or the poorer the soil preparation, the higher the seeding rate per unit area.
