Planting Peas with Wildly Different Results

Q. I've planted peas and though some of the plants are close to each other they have wildly different results.  Some of the peas were doing very well while others not as well. Same bag of peas, same plant date, same watering and same mulching.  Why the vastly different results?

A. Classic soil or irrigation problem if they are new seed and all the same but some are doing well and others are not. Try amending the soil so consistently and looking closely at how the water is distributed to the plants. Poor drainage and cold soil is the kiss of death to peas.

The reason for improved varieties of vegetables available from vegetable seed producers is consistent results. Make sure your seed comes from a reliable source and the variety is a reliable variety.

            I'm assuming you know that late spring is not the time of year for peas. They were on their way out a month ago or are really suffering with high temperatures. Peas are winter crops and should be planted in November through early spring, provided the soil is warm enough. Pull them when planting warm season vegetables. Unfortunately, they are usually producing well when replacing them with summer vegetables.