Field Peas

Pisum sativum

www.waldeneffect.org

Description: Field peas are legumes in the family Fabaceae, which means they are nitrogen fixers. We
planted field peas in early October as a ground cover to add nitrogen to the soil and to prevent soil
erosion over the winter. They are also used to smother weeds or harvested as livestock feed. Pea
tendrils can be used in salads and the dry yellow peas can be cooked in soups. They have small purple
flowers. We mixed field peas with oats for our ground cover.
Characteristics
Soil: well-drained, loam
pH: 6.5-7.5
Days to maturity: 52-75
Notes

Stems are weak so will benefit from being seeded with 1-2 bushels of oats per acre.
Can be seeded into rough ground; use 25% more seed than usual.

Plant like garden peas: inoculate with proper inoculant, drill or broadcast, and cover 1-3" deep
depending on soil moisture.
Plants do not re-grow after mowing or grazing.
Field peas' average nitrogen production is 100 lb./acre
To be used as green manure, till under when in the growing stage
Seed early enough so that plants are 6 to 8 inches tall before soil freezes, because peas are
shallow rooted and susceptible to heaving. Try to plant from mid-August to mid- September
To sow the seeds we used a hand held tiller and sprinkled the seeds on the bare soil