Pea Plant Problems

Question

So I’m running into some problems with my pea plants and I’m not sure if it’s just due to the recent heat wave (above 30 degrees Celsius for 4 days) or if I’ve got a bigger issue. I have 3 different raised garden beds with different pea strains in each. I planted my first sowing in late April and did a second sowing mid may for any peas that didn’t sprout and a third sowing late may for the same reason. So my peas in each bed are different ages because of this and the younger ones seem to be doing the worst. In my first bed the tall peas at the back are sugar snaps and the shorter ones to the left and right are homesteaders. In this bed all the peas seem to be yellowing at the bottom. In my second bed I have crown peas in the front and lancanshire lad peas in the back. In this bed the peas are again yellowing also the lancashires are supposed to have purple pods but they seem really faded. I am wondering what could cause this? In the third bed they are all homesteaders. This bed seems to be the healthiest but they are still turning yellow at the bottom. Also one plant in particular in this bed looks like it has something different. Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

I am starting to notice disease, likely, from soil that remains too moist without a dry out between waterings.

I am noticing very vigorous foliage, and few flowers. This will indicate that your soil is very high in nitrogen. Since peas (as well as almost all legumes) harness their own atmospheric nitrogen, any extra can cause issues for the plant.

Make sure, when growing peas, that you use a good organic potting soil mixed with 30% compost or less. This can help prevent nitrogen burn from soils with added nitrogen (which most have).

Here is an article that will help you to grow peas to their potential:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peas/how-grow-peas.htm

This collection of articles will offer plenty of information on the subject of peas:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peas