July is a slow growth month, the middle of winter when everything tends to sit still. But not if you want to grow microgreens. Garden peas may be an unusual choice but they are as tasty and sweet, if not sweeter than fully grown peas.
There are three ways to grow them. Firstly, as sprouts that are harvested just after germination. Or they can be left to develop baby leaves and then harvested as microgreens. Thirdly, they can be left to grow beyond microgreen stage to develop the first true leaves and tendrils. Food aficionados know how desirable pea tendrils are as a garnish.
Getting started
- Use any pea seed, from Kirchhoffs normal Greenfeast garden peas to mangetout ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’ and sugar snap ‘Sugar Charm’ or ‘Sugar Snap Climber’.
- For faster and better germination Soak the peas overnight for six to 12 hours so that they plump up. Those that don’t can be soaked for longer or discarded.
- Using seedling mix or hydrated coco peat, fill a shallow seed tray (with drainage hole) three-quarters full. Firm down the mixture and mist spray to dampen it.
- Sprinkle the peas evenly over the surface and cover with a layer of seedling mix/coco peat and firm down lightly. Mist spray to moisten.
- Keep the tray in a warm, sheltered space indoors or close to a sunny window.
- Mist daily during germination which should be about seven days.
Once the peas have sprouted water with a liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger and let the tray drain well.
Watering tip: When the seed tray feels light it needs to be watered. Place it in a larger tray half filled with water and let it soak up the water, then remove and drain. This can be done every day or as necessary.
Harvesting: Using sharp kitchen scissors, snip off as sprouts when the growth just above the soil. For microgreens wait until the peas are 7 to 10 cm tall before snipping and to harvest the tendrils cut off the top section, leaving some leaves behind so that the pea shoot can re-grow.
The best is to harvest as you need, but if that’s not possible, keep the cuttings dry, wrap them in paper towel and store in an airtight container.
To use: as garnish, in salads, sandwiches and even stir fries, if added at the very end.
Garden tasks for winter
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- Water carefully, not letting the soil dry out completely
- Feed brassicas with a midwinter plant tonic like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger
- Cover tender veggies with frost cloth
- In tropical frost-free areas keep sowing summer and winter veggies, water and feed.
What to sow
Summer rainfall areas: Garden peas, cabbage (sow indoors) and in less frosty areas Lettuce, parsnip, radish, Swiss chard, tomatoes (indoors), turnips.
Winter rainfall areas: Beetroot, carrots, cucumber, celery, lettuce, peas, turnips.
Lowveld and KwaZulu-Natal coast: Beetroot, beans, brinjals, chillies, carrots, cucumber, mealies and melons, squash, pumpkin, radishes, Swiss chard, and tomatoes
Article published in Grow Your Own
