Pea Shoot Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

Pea shoots are grown by two methods: intercropping and sole cropping. For sole cropping, seeds are generally sown into the soil at a spacing of 20cm between plants and 40cm between rows, then covered with soil and watered. For intercropping, three or four seeds are generally sown at a spacing of 20cm between plants and 60cm between rows, then covered with soil, given an appropriate amount of base fertilizer, and watered lightly; when the vines grow to 20cm, set up a trellis for them to climb, and once the pods have formed they can be harvested.

When are peas sown?

1. Overwintering planting: Overwintering planting is the main planting form in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River; it generally uses idle winter land, especially cotton fields after the cotton harvest, so that the cotton stalks can serve as natural supports while also increasing income and improving the soil. Overwintering planting is generally sown from late October to mid-November, overwinters in the open field, and is harvested from April to May the following year. If sown too early, the plants grow too vigorously before winter and are easily killed by frost when cold waves arrive in winter; if sown too late, the plant root system does not develop sufficiently before winter, vine growth is delayed the following spring, and yields are low.

2. Spring planting: In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, sowing takes place from late February to early March, and the crop is harvested before high temperatures arrive; in Northeast China, spring sowing and summer harvest are practiced, generally sowing from April to May, and if needed, low tunnels, plastic film, and other covers can be used to sow earlier. Spring planting has a short growing period, with low temperatures early on and high temperatures later, so choose cold-tolerant varieties with a short growing period, such as Chihua Juanying and Tiancui Pea, and sow as early as possible.

3. Autumn planting: For autumn planting, choose early-maturing varieties, sow in early September, and finish harvesting before the cold wave arrives in late November. Autumn planting also has a short growing period; you can raise seedlings ahead of time in summer in a shade house, and in winter use plastic film covers to extend the growing period.

The above is an introduction to pea shoot planting methods, and we hope it is helpful to everyone.