The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Harvesting Pea Shoots for a Gourmet Treat
Pea shoots, the young and tender growing tips of Pisum sativum plants, are a delightful addition to any garden that bring a gourmet appeal to your dishes. Not only are these garden greens delicious, but they are also easy to grow and harvest, making them a fantastic addition to any low waste gardening strategy.
Are you curious about how to grow these delicious leguminous greens and incorporate them into your culinary creations? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing, harvesting, preparing, and cooking fresh pea shoots.
What You’ll Learn
- How to Grow Pea Shoots
- Harvesting and Storing Tips
- Preparing and Cooking Fresh Shoots
Growing Pea Shoots
When it comes to growing pea shoots, the first step is to sow your seeds. While pea shoots can be harvested from any variety of P. sativum, it’s essential to note that sweet peas (Lathryrus odoratus) are unrelated ornamental plants that are toxic and should be avoided.
Snow pea varieties are the most commonly grown for their green shoots. You can purchase organic seeds for sowing P. sativum shoots in various pack sizes from High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Pea seeds are cool-season crops, so it’s best to sow them in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Whether you choose to plant them in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, sow the seeds four to six weeks before your average last frost for spring crops, or 10 to 12 weeks before your first frost for fall harvests.
You can also cultivate these legumes indoors if you prefer. Sow the seeds one inch deep, two inches apart in rows that are 18 inches apart. In square foot gardening beds, sow eight seeds per square foot.
For more tips on cultivating peas, refer to our complete guide to growing peas.
Harvesting and Storing
Once your seeds have germinated and sprouted, it’s crucial to know when to harvest your pea shoots. Allow the plants to reach eight to 12 inches tall before gathering your first crop.
When harvesting, pick only the top two to six inches of the young growing tips, which are the most tender and delicious. Make sure they have two to four pairs of leaves before picking them, including the whip-like tendril at the end of the stem and any flower buds or blossoms.
You can use scissors or garden snips to collect your harvest, or simply snap the tips off between your fingernails. Consider these greens as a bonus crop that can be harvested in small quantities without taking any extra measures.
If you want the vines to focus on shoot production rather than bearing pods, remove flower buds as the plants grow.
It’s best to use the harvested shoots fresh from the garden. To extend their freshness, cool them off in a bowl of ice water after harvesting, and store them in the refrigerator wrapped in a paper towel in an open plastic bag. Use them within two days to prevent wilting.
Preparing and Cooking Fresh Shoots
Before using your fresh pea shoots, clean and freshen them up by soaking them in cold water using the bowl of a salad spinner, then rinse and drain.
Pea shoots can be used in various ways in the kitchen. Enjoy them raw in salads, as garnishes on culinary creations, or throw a handful into a smoothie with apples, lettuce, and bok choy.
They are also delicious in stir-fries or sautéed as a side dish. Additionally, they can add flavor and color to soups made with homegrown vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and dry beans.
More Legume Blooms to Consume
Now that you’ve learned how to grow, harvest, and prepare pea shoots, you’re all set to enjoy more parts of the pea plant! Share your advice for cultivating or harvesting these leguminous greens in the comments section, and let us know your favorite variety for this purpose.
If you’re interested in learning more about cultivating peas in your garden, check out these additional resources:
- All About Edible Pod Peas
- 17 of the Best Shelling Pea Varieties to Grow in Your Garden
- How to Plant and Grow Snap Peas
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be a pea shoot expert in no time!
In this comprehensive guide, you’ve learned all about how to grow and harvest pea shoots – a gourmet treat for any kitchen. These delicious garden greens are not only easy to grow and harvest but also versatile in the kitchen. Whether you enjoy them raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries, pea shoots are a delightful addition to any meal. So, grab your seeds and start growing your own pea shoots today!
