Most people are aware of planting outdoors but what about inside your home? Today we’ll cover all the information you need about growing peas indoors.
Grow peas indoors: As long as your peas have access to sunlight or a grow lamp for at least eight hours, you can grow peas indoors. Look for snap peas, snow peas, or dwarf peas for the best results.
Can you grow peas indoors?
Yes, you can grow peas indoors. However, you do need a few circumstances to make the process a success.
First, you should start with a smaller, dwarf variety of peas. The pea pods themselves will still be a decent size but the entire plant will be on the smaller end.
You will also need an area that gets plenty of natural sunlight. Fresh air will help bring more oxygen to the plant and not trap a garden smell in your living room.
Finally, you may want to lay down a rug or tray to place your container on. This way any accidental water or dirt that comes from the container will be contained and it won’t cause a giant mess.
Advantages of growing peas indoors
Fewer pests
While there will inevitably be a bug or two that finds its way inside your home, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about insect infestations when growing peas indoors. This is a real concern for pea plants outdoors, so it’s nice that it is no longer a major issue.
Weather Control
Peas are a cool-weather crop which means they grow best in either early spring or early fall. However, they don’t like freezing cold temperatures which means finding a balance around sudden temperature changes.
With indoor planting, you can control the temperature, especially at night. The result will be more even growth and a larger yield.
Easy to harvest
Wouldn’t it be nice to simply reach over and pick a few peas for your evening meal? Even though gardens should be accessible, it’s much nicer not to have to worry about putting on a jacket and shoes to get your vegetables.
Kids can come home from school and enjoy a snack from their very own living room. It might make you rethink your whole gardening experience.
Disadvantages of growing peas indoors
Smell
While pea plants themselves don’t smell, the combination of soil and water can make the area a bit musty. As peas grow best in the early spring, you probably won’t have any windows open in your home, which can increase the smell.
Try to air your house out a bit during the growing process, even if it is just for a few minutes each afternoon. You should also make sure water drains properly and does not spill anywhere as this can enhance that musty scent.
Space
While you might live in a palatial house, you probably just have room for one or two containers of peas. Because of this, you shouldn’t expect as many peas as if you planted them outside.
Still, your yield per plant will be higher than if you planted outdoors as the conditions are controlled and growth is more consistent.
How to grow peas indoors
Location
The first step in growing peas indoors is to decide on a location. It should be bright and airy.
Ideally, your pea plants will have at least eight hours of sunlight a day. If this is not possible, you can supplement with a grow light.
While it is nice to grow peas in an area that has access to fresh air, this is more to keep the room from smelling musty. Peas self-pollinate so you don’t have to worry about access to bees or other insects.
Variety
While you can try many different varieties of peas, some are easier to grow indoors than others. Dwarf varieties will be more compact and snow peas and snap peas are also good options.
Soil and planting
Peas sprout pretty quickly but you should still start with smaller seedling trays. Use a mixture of well-aged compost and soil for your seeds.
Place the seeds about 2 inches apart and cover them with 1 inch of soil. After the seedlings are at least 2 inches tall, you can transfer them to their larger, more permanent containers.
Support
Peas want to grow upwards, so provide a support system for them right away. If you wait too long, you can end up damaging the plants as you try to train them to grow up the support.
You can use a wire cage or a wooden trellis for your peas. Even though dwarf varieties are smaller, they will still need extra support for optimal growth.
Pruning
To create bushier pea plants that produce more, gently pinch the top of the vines off once the plant reaches 6 inches tall. This will encourage more growth.
Harvesting
In addition to the peas and pods on a plant, pea shoots are also edible. You can simply pluck off a few of the crunchy pea shoots and add them to a salad or a sandwich.
Pea pods are ready for harvest when they are firm and have a deep green color. Snap peas, as the name suggests, should have a crisp texture to them if you break them in half.
How long does it take for peas to grow indoors?
Peas grow relatively quickly indoors because you can provide the optimal growing conditions for them. From the time you plant your seeds to the time you harvest your plants, expect about 60 days to pass.
If you are anxious about harvesting, pay attention to the flowers. In just a few days after flowers appear on your plants, pods will start to form. After that, it is only a week or two before they are ready for harvest.
Conclusion
Growing peas indoors might be a novel idea but with a bit of preparation, it can be done. Find a bright, sunny location for your peas and place a towel down to collect any soil or water. In just 60 days, you can enjoy fresh peas!
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