Growing Split Peas With Care & Attention

Growing Split Peas With Care & Attention

Split peas, the humble backbone of hearty soups and stews, are a joy to grow if you’re willing to give them the care they require. Their understated charm lies in their simplicity—no fancy fertilizers, no extravagant techniques, just patience, timing, and a little love.

Understanding Split Peas

Let’s get one thing straight: split peas aren’t some exotic crop. They’re simply dried peas, most often from varieties like Pisum sativum. When you grow them, you’re really cultivating the mature pea plant, harvesting the seeds, and drying them. That’s the story.

But don’t let their simplicity fool you. These plants reward attention to detail. They thrive best in cool weather, and the timing of your planting is *everything*. If the soil is too cold or too wet, your seeds will sulk—or worse, rot.

Preparation: Soil & Timing

I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that split peas aren’t fans of heavy, soggy soil. They prefer something well-drained and slightly sandy. If your garden is more clay than sand, mix in some compost and sand to lighten it up. Trust me, your peas will thank you.

As for timing, they’re a cool-season crop. Plant them early in the spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. I usually aim for a soil temperature between 45°F and 75°F. Any hotter, and they start to check out. Too cold, and they won’t even germinate.

Planting Split Peas

Sow your seeds directly into the ground—they hate being transplanted. Space them two inches apart in rows about six inches apart. Don’t overcrowd them. I've tried skimping on spacing before, and all it got me was tangled stems and fewer pods.

Bury the seeds about an inch deep. Too shallow, and birds will make a snack of them. Too deep, and they’ll struggle to sprout. It’s a fine balance, but when done right, those little seedlings will poke through in about 10 days.

Watering & Maintenance

Here’s where people tend to overdo it: split peas don’t want to be drowned. Water sparingly, especially early on. Once they’re established, they’ll need about an inch of water a week, but let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Damp soil equals root rot. I’ve learned that lesson more than once.

As the plants grow, they’ll need support. Split peas are climbers. Without a trellis or some stakes, they flop over and start to rot at the base. I like using bamboo stakes crisscrossed with twine—it’s sturdy and lets the peas grab on without collapsing under their own weight.

Pests, Weeds, and Problems

If there’s one thing that can ruin your split pea crop, it’s aphids. These little sap-suckers can infest your plants practically overnight. I’ve found that a strong blast of water or a homemade garlic spray keeps them in check.

“Healthy plants are less prone to pests, so focus on prevention. Keep weeds at bay, water wisely, and avoid over-fertilizing.”

Speaking of weeds, keep them out of your rows. They compete for nutrients and crowd your peas. A thick layer of mulch works wonders for weed control and also retains just the right amount of soil moisture.

Harvesting Split Peas

The patience pays off here. Let the pods mature fully on the plant until they’re dry and brittle. This takes a bit of self-control because those plump green pods are tempting to pick early. But for split peas, you need to wait.

Once the pods start to yellow and dry, pick them before frost hits. Spread the pods out indoors to finish drying completely, then shell them by hand. I’ve tried shortcuts like using a food processor, but trust me, nothing beats the tactile satisfaction of popping pods open yourself.

Tips for Storage

Once shelled, your peas need to be stored properly to preserve their quality. I keep mine in airtight glass jars in a cool, dark pantry. If dried thoroughly, they’ll last for a year or more. But honestly, they rarely last that long in my kitchen.

Growing split peas is an act of quiet rebellion against a world obsessed with convenience. These plants reward care and patience, and they’ll leave you with something far more valuable than a packet of dried legumes from the store. They leave you with a story—and a taste of your own effort.

Split Peas are an easy, nutritious and affordable option for gardeners looking to grow their own food. They are packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Split Peas are a hardy annual that can easily be grown in most regions and are an easy crop to harvest and store. Split Peas can also be used in a number of recipes, adding a unique and delicious flavor to meals.