How to Germinate Peas

Lucycont

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posted on 12 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Peas supply a wide variety of nutrients to your diet. Depending on the type--from sugar snap peas to dry peas to green garden peas - they provide high amounts of fiber, iron, protein, Vitamin C, lysine, tryptophan and carbohydrates. Peas are a cool-season crop, so indoor planting and germination should take place several weeks before the last frost in your area. This will ensure plenty of time for outdoor planting, growth and harvest before temperatures warm to the point where pea plants fail to grow and produce. Although you can plant pea seeds directly in the ground, horticulturists with the Oregon State University Extension Service and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources advise that knowledge of how to germinate peas before planting ensures a better harvest.

Steps

Apply nitrogen-fixing pea inoculant (available at garden supply centers) to the pea seeds. Follow package recommendations.

Moisten a paper towel and fold it into quarters.

Slide pea seeds into the paper towel's folds.

Put the paper towel and pea seeds into a perforated plastic baggie.

Place the seeds in a warm location, such as a sunny windowsill, with a temperature of approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit (17.8 degrees Centigrade).

Monitor the moisture level of the paper towel and pea seeds, adding water as needed to ensure a humid environment inside the baggie.

Watch for roots poking from the folds of the paper towel.

Fill 3-inch (7.62 cm) pots with potting soil.

Plant 1 germinated seed from the folded paper towel into each pot. Note: Set the germinated seeds about 1/2 the planting depth recommended on the seed packet and cover them lightly with potting soil.