Peas are one of the easiest vegetables I grow in containers! If you have a small space, don’t worry; container gardening works like magic. I’ve had great success growing peas from seed to harvest right on my balcony. In this post, I’ll show you my exact process, from soaking seeds to picking fresh pods, so you can grow your own peas confidently, too.
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Preparing Pea Seeds for Planting
Starting with healthy seeds gives peas the best chance to thrive. I like to begin the process a day before planting.
To speed up germination, I always soak my pea seeds in water for about 12 to 15 hours. It’s simple! I just leave them overnight.
The next morning, the seeds swell up nicely. At this point, they’re ready to go straight into the soil. You’ll love how quickly they sprout after this step!
Choosing and Setting Up the Right Container
Getting the container right makes a big difference in how well the plants grow. Here’s what I always do when I prepare containers for peas.
I use a large tub, 20 to 25 inches in diameter and 12 to 18 inches deep. This size easily holds about 5 to 6 pea plants.
Then I prepare a nutrient-rich mix by adding 30 to 40% compost to the soil.
Compost really gives the seeds a strong start. I mix it well to make sure everything is blended evenly before planting.
Planting the Pea Seeds
Now comes the fun part—planting! Once the soil mix is ready, I move on to sowing the seeds.
I plant 5 pea seeds in each container, making sure to give them enough room to grow. I poke 1-inch deep holes, spacing them about 3 to 4 inches apart.
After placing the seeds, I gently cover them with the soil mix. It feels fantastic to get my hands in the soil during this step! Also, don’t forget to water the seeds!
Ideal Growing Conditions
Peas love cool weather, so I always keep an eye on the temperature when I plant.
They grow best when the temperature stays below 28°C. Once it crosses 30°C, I notice that pod production slows down, and the pods get a bit tough.
To give my plants the light they need, I place the container in a sunny spot where it gets 5 to 7 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Day 6:
Day 10:
Day 15:
Day 18:
Supporting Pea Plants as They Grow
Day 28:
Once the seedlings appear, it’s time to help them grow upright. Peas love to climb, so I make sure to support them properly.
I create a simple trellis using four bamboo sticks—one in each corner of the container.
Then, I weave a web-like structure using gardening thread. It’s really satisfying to build and watch the plants latch onto it!
As they grow, I gently guide the vines toward the support. Peas have shallow stems and can break if pulled too hard, so I’m always extra careful.
Vertical growth not only keeps the plants healthy but also makes harvesting so much easier.
Feeding and Watering Your Peas
Peas are not heavy feeders, but in containers, they do need a bit of help. I follow a simple feeding routine.
Every 20 days, I add 3 to 4 handfuls of compost to the container. I use a trowel to work it into the top few inches of soil.
Right after that, I water the soil thoroughly to help the nutrients settle in.
Keeping the soil moist at all times is so important! I make sure the topsoil never dries out completely.
Day 45: buds and flowers will start to form. Peas hate dry roots, and if the soil dries up, pea production drops quickly.
I water deeply whenever I notice the soil starting to dry out or the plants looking a bit thirsty.
Day 50:
Harvesting Peas at the Right Time
Now the most exciting part—harvesting! I get so happy when I see pods forming.
Most pea varieties are ready to harvest in 60 to 75 days. I check them daily once small pods appear.
Day 60:
Day 68:
Timing is everything. If I pick too early, the peas are small. If I wait too long, they lose sweetness and turn hard. So I harvest when they look plump, bright green, and a little waxy.
To avoid damaging the plant, I always use scissors. I hold the vine with one hand and snip the pod gently with the other. It’s quick and clean!
I continue picking peas as they ripen because the more I pick, the more pods the plant produces.
If I keep up with harvesting, the plants stay productive until the heat gets too strong.
Final Thoughts
Growing peas in containers brings me so much joy! It’s simple, rewarding, and doesn’t take much space. If you follow these steps—soak the seeds, plant in rich soil, give support, and keep the soil moist—you’ll enjoy fresh peas in no time. Try it out and let me know how your container peas turn out.
