Commercial Production of English Peas in Mississippi
English, garden, or green peas were once widely grown in Mississippi, but weather, labor, and consumer preference for processed peas have all but eliminated fresh pea production.
Soils
Peas prefer a well-drained sandy or silt loam soil, with some organic matter. Soil pH for English peas is critical, with levels below 6.2 reducing yield. Do not plant in fields following Southern peas, lima beans, or snapbeans the year before.
Varieties
English peas come in several types. The common shelled pea is divided into dry, canner, and freezer peas. Edible pod peas are divided into snow peas and snap peas. Each type has several varieties. Based on limited research in Mississippi and surrounding states, the following varieties should perform well: Dry
or canner peas:
Alaska, Wando,* Thomas Laxton
Freezer peas:
Progress #9, Little Marvel,* Bolero
Snow peas:
Oregon Sugar Pod II
Sugar snap peas:
Sugar Snap, Sugar Ann, Nofila
* recommended for fresh market
Planting Dates
The primary limiting factors in English pea production in Mississippi are temperature and day length requirements. Pea plants may die if exposed to long periods above 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, flowering is accelerated by long days and low temperatures. The optimum time for planting English peas has been early to mid-January in most of Mississippi.Earlier plantings do not increase yield. Fall production is difficult due to high temperatures.
Planting Rates
Plant English peas at a rate of 100 to 150 pounds of seed per acre. Plant the rows 24 to 42 inches apart. Inoculations are not required.
Trellising
Thomas Laxton, Oregon Sugar Pod II, and other peas taller than 3 feet require a trellis. The trellis should be constructed of 4 x 4 end posts and 2 x 2 posts every 10 feet, connected with wire at the top and bottom. Nylon or cotton string is zigzagged between the wires for the pea vines to climb.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizers according to soil tests. Be sure to apply limestone at least 3 months before planting. Peas require between 50 and 100 pounds of P and K and 30 to 50 pounds of N on a medium-fertility soil.
Weed Control
Clomozone (Command), Metolachlor (Dual), and trifluralin (Treflan and others) are labeled for preemerge grass and small-seeded broadleaf control. Bentazon (basagran) and MCPA are labeled for postemerge broadleaf control.
Insect Control
Aphids are among the major insect problems, because of the damage they cause to young plants and for the diseases they carry. Control measures are found in Extension Publication 554.
Disease Control
Root rot and fusarium wilt are common problems with English peas. Well-drained soils and resistant varieties are the best solutions. Pea enation virus, bean yellow virus, and other mosaic-causing viruses are spread by aphids. Powdery mildew is the most common foliage disease and can be contained by timely sprays of fungicide. Consult Publication 554, "Disease, Insect, and Nematode Control Recommendations for Commercial Vegetables in Mississippi," for the best treatments.
Harvesting
Harvest English peas when the pods are full but still tender. Harvest edible pod peas when the pods have reached the desired length but the seeds have not developed. Harvest snap peas when the pods are filled with plump seed. Days from planting to harvest vary with variety, temperature, and sunshine. Many canning and freezing varieties will be labeled with a DD40 number, which is the number of hours above 40 degrees Fahrenheit required to maturity.
Postharvest Handling
Peas going to fresh market must be cooled to 32 degrees Fahrenheit as quickly as possible to prevent moisture loss and to preserve sugar content. Often precooled English peas are packed with crushed ice to extend shelf life. Do not ice snap peas and snow peas.
Packaging
All peas are shipped in 10-pound cardboard cartons.
Yield
Expect a yield between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds per acre, although yields more than 6,000 pounds per acre have been achieved in the last 50 years, whenever weather is favorable. Costs
Preharvest: $270
Harvest, hand: $535
Postharvest: $380
Returns
Pea prices in April, May, and June vary widely and can be as low as $.50 a pound to as high as $2.80 a pound. Snow peas generally are the highest priced, and English peas are the lowest priced peas.All dollar values are estimates based upon previous experiences and normal crop years. Your costs may vary significantly from the estimates given.
The information given here is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended of other products that may also be suitable.
By Dr. David Nagel, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information Sheet
1503
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright by
Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational
purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
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