How to Grow and Harvest Pea Shoots

How to Grow and Harvest Pea Shoots

Pea shoots, the young and tender growing tips of Pisum sativum plants, are an early spring treat with a decidedly gourmet appeal.

Plus, these delicious garden greens are easy to grow and harvest, and can be part of a low waste gardening strategy.

We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Wondering if the greens of these legumes make good eating?

Tender and mild tasting, these fast-growing veggies have a crisp texture and a mild, pea-like flavor. And these treats of the garden can be used either raw or cooked in numerous culinary creations.

Ready to learn how to cultivate and pick them?

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

First of course, you’ll want to sow some seeds, and you might wonder if it matters which variety you choose.

These leguminous greens can be harvested from any variety of P. sativum – but that doesnot include sweet peas (Lathryrus odoratus), which are unrelated ornamental plants that are considered toxic.

However, snow pea varieties are the types most often grown for their green shoots.

Don’t yet have a stock of seed packets to use for this gardening project?

Pea Seeds for Growing Shoots

You can purchase organic seed for sowing P. sativum shoots in pack sizes ranging from a quarter of a pound to 40 pounds from High Mowing Organic Seeds.

These legumes are cool season crops, so sow them in early spring, or in late summer for a fall harvest.

Whether cultivating them in the ground, in a raised bed, or in containers, sow the seeds of these vining vegetables four to six weeks before your average last frost for spring crops, or 10 to 12 weeks before your first frost for fall