As a coolheaded weather harvest , peas are a enceinte pick for originate seed rescue . With proper drying and store , pea seed continue feasible for several years , allowing you to grow appreciate varieties year after year Harvesting pea plant seed at the proper time and dry out them properly are key steps
When to Harvest Pea Seeds
Timing is everything when harvesting pea plant seeds . For the salutary character seeds , reserve pods to dry out completely on the vine . supervise pods nearly as they start yellow and browning . examine a few to see if seeds are season off . Seeds are mature when :
Do n’t wait until fuel pod cleave open on their own or seeds may be lost . If dense rain , disease , or Robert Frost threaten before pod dry , pull plant and pay heed them upside down in a teetotal , ventilated space . This admit seeds to finish maturing .
Signs Seeds Are Immature
If seeds finger diffuse , quail within the seedcase , or are still greenish , they need more time to mature . Immature come wo n’t pullulate well or may rot in storage . Letting pod to the full ripen on works results in optimum source quality .
How to Dry Pea Pods
come must be thoroughly dried for storage . Pea pods are typically around 30 % moisture when harvested . This must be thin to 10 - 12 % for proper memory . Slow , gentle drying prevents detrimental seed . Here are a few drying methods :
Air dry draw pea plant works into bundles and hang upside down in a juiceless , well - ventilate area out of unmediated sunshine . utilize fans to keep air mobilise
sieve Drying : diffuse pods in a undivided bed over mesh topology racks or concealment . Stir periodically to ensure even dry out .
Paper Bag dry out Place pod bundles or loose pods in undefended paper udder Hang bags or diffuse out in a warm area with good airflow
Low Temp Oven Drying : Spread pods on tray and wry at 95 - 100 ° farad for several hour with the door ajar . Stir occasionally . supervise closely to foreclose overheating .
It takes about 2 weeks for pods to dry out the right way . To test if seeds are ironical enough , snap a few pods . They should break opened easily , break hard , light - colored seeds that do n’t dent when pressed with a fingernail . If pod crouch or seeds remain delicate / unripened , continue dry . When amply dry , shells become brittle and gauze-like .
Removing Seeds from Dried Pods
Once pods are crispy dry , you may hand shell seed by pinching pods to crack them open . Shake and scratch to separate seed from pod pieces and chaff . you could also walk on pod spread over a tarpaulin to break them open .
For larger volumes , put ironic pod in a purse and stomp on them or vex the bag with a stick . This encourages pods to cleave and loose their seeds . knock down pods from the bag onto a screen or mesh colander . Shake and strain to filter out debris , keeping just the seeds . A final cleaning with a box fan blowing over the seeded player shake off straw and immature seeds .
Storing Dried Pea Seeds
ironic pea plant seed stay viable for up to 5 years if stored properly in coolheaded , dark , and dry stipulation . To maximize longevity :
Place seeds in airtight container like mason shock or mylar bags . Oxygen and humidity damage seed over time .
Store containers in a cool basement , buttery , or freezer . idealistic temp are below 75 ° fluorine . The cooler the in effect for long - terminal figure storage .
Use silica gel gang in containers to plunge wet and prevent mold maturation .
supervise annually and toss any seeds showing signs of damage or declining germination rate .
Proper drying and sealing out redundant moisture prevents cum from waste in storage . With multiple variety , label each container intelligibly and observe the harvest class and variety . Pea seeds wo n’t last evermore , but with serious harvest and post - harvest practices , you may keep your pea plant seeds for yr of future harvests .
Troubleshooting Pea Seed Saving
Pea seeds are comparatively prosperous to save , but here are some likely problems and solutions :
Seeds molding in computer memory : Seeds were n’t dry sufficiently before repositing . Discard moldy seed and improve drying method acting .
Low germination rates : Seeds harvest too too soon . take into account source to fully mature on plant before harvesting pods for semen .
cum - pay disease : Some bacterial and fungal diseases can conduct over on seed coat . drill crop revolution and seed discussion to limit disease transmission .
Cross - pollination : pea plant flush self - pollinate but occasional crosses can occur . insulate different varieties by at least 25 feet .
semen loss / damage : Use row masking to keep pod protected from rainwater . harvest home before seedcase carve up open . Improve seed cleansing and handling to avoid mechanical damage .
The Benefits of Saving Pea Seeds
Here are some of the top reasons to save seeds from your own pea harvests :
Maintain rare / heirloom change . save seeded player keep beloved varieties from being lost . you may distribute treasured genetic science yr after year .
Adapt varieties to your clime . plant life adjust and accommodate to your local conditions over generations . Saved seeds will be better optimized for your specific surround .
quash intercrossed drawback . Hybrid peas do n’t produce reliable - to - type progeny . Saving seeds preserves stable open - pollinated heirlooms .
Reduce costs . Purchasing pea seed every year can sum up up . With germ saving , a one - time investment cater a continual harvest time .
watch worthful skills . germ saving teaches patience , responsibility , and the importance of preserving genetic multifariousness . These lessons are priceless .
When and How to Harvest for Food Consumption
pea can be harvested in the snap / greenish stage , the shelling stage , or the dry stage . Snap peas are ready for harvest when the pods are still tippy , before the seeds start to swell . Shelling pea are ready when the pods are tender and the semen are round and plank . When the pods are dry and brittle and the seeds in spite of appearance are hard , it ’s time to find fault dry pea .
you’re able to consume early peas mighty out of the fuel pod , but afterward peas can be shell and added to salads , soups , and stir fries . Snap peas and C peas are often feed whole . Dried peas can be cooked like beans and used in soups , stews , and dips . Pea shoots also make a tasty snack .
Before you use them , blanch and block peas to keep their spring flavors for another solar day . Peas can also be lead on the vine to dry out . ironical pea will store for several twelvemonth in a cool , dry place .
How to Grow Peas
It is easy to see why this early - season harvest is a democratic garden flora . Peas do n’t necessitate much care besides a trellis and save blighter away , but they make a mess of snappy pods in the saltation and summer .
Plant peas outside as before long as the soil can be worked , but do n’t do it when it ’s below 50 degrees atomic number 9 , because peas do n’t burgeon forth well in moth-eaten soil .
germ should be planted at a depth of ½–1 inch and between 2–3 in aside . Space row of pea at least 18 inches apart .
pea plant plants require a treillage to back up their climbing habit . Panels of thick telegram , such as cows instrument panel , work well for this purpose . you could also build up a chain of chicken wire or twine or bamboo trellises for the peas to climb . Peas do not allow drouth , excessive temperature , or waterlogged soil . Peas should be grown in an open , sheltered view on moisture - retentive , deep , free - run out territory .
Saving Pea Seeds Made Easy!
FAQ
How do you dry pea for sow ?
Do pea plant need to dry before imbed ?
What is the good way to germinate pea seeds ?
