(image: via EvelynGiggles)

Confession: I have no peas on my terrace this year. But that’s crazy because I love peas! Especially sugar snap peas where you can pop the whole pod in your mouth when you get tired of shelling. So what gives? The answer is that I meant to plant them, and then I kept meaning to, and then it was too late. And that’s the rub with peas. You can’t put them off. In warmer climates, you can get them going in February. In New York, they demand planting in March, April, or at the very latest May, but that’s only if you really want to push it. But June or July? Forget about it. Cool-season crops like peas want nothing to do with a procrastinator like me.

If you’re reading this today (July 7) and you live anywhere in the northern hemisphere (except maybe northern Finland), it’s too late for you, too. But that doesn’t mean you can’t join me in dreaming next-year dreams. You already know the most important thing about growing peas: start early. Here’s the rest of what you need to know. 

Let’s start with types of peas. They come in three big categories:

1. Shelling peas. You grow these for the peas not the pod. I mean, not like the pod would kill you, but you’d be chewing for a long time.
2. Snap peas. The peas and pods are equally appealing.
3. Snow peas. Here, the pod is the main event.

As mentioned, I love me some snap peas. Best of both worlds, I think.

Whatever type of peas you pick, they all favor roughly the same growing conditions.

• Where peas like to grow: The sun! They’ll do okay in part-shade, but you’ll get more pods if they get more sun.
• Fertilizer: Don’t go overboard. Too much fertilizer, and you’ll get lots of luscious leaves and not many flowers or pods. Potting soil with a little compost is all you’ll need.
• Water: Peas like it, but they don’t want to soak in it. Make sure your container has drainage holes in the bottom. And one special note: cut back a bit on the water when the pea plants are in flower. Too much water can interfere with pollination.
• Trellises: Peas are climbers. Even dwarf varieties like a little support.

You didn’t think I was going to say trellises and just leave it at that, did you? We need pictures! Folks with country acreage can build massive, beautiful trellises, like this one, which I love:

(image via mahalie)

For those of us not blessed with nearby trees we can fell and lash together for woodland-wonderful trellises, the world of trellises is still pretty promising. You can basically copy the above picture, but on a small scale using bamboo stakes. I plan to build one next week for my clematis vine. Full DIY instructions coming soon!

Another option: architectural salvage. I have a vision, yet-to-be implemented of grape vines growing on an old garden gate. The whole idea would be equally awesome with peas (though, they don’t get quite as tall, so maybe a shorter gate). Another alternative — just put your peas next to a wrought iron chair and watch them climb.

• Image left: Fantasy gate, available on Etsy! $250.
• Image right: via briannaorg.

Whatever you grow your peas on, just get them out early. I swear, next year is my year.