Peas are a rewarding cool-weather crop, often planted early in the spring garden. Proper plant spacing is fundamental to the health and productivity of the crop. Adequate room ensures good air circulation, which is a primary defense against common fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Correct spacing also maximizes yield and ensures plants receive sufficient sunlight and nutrients as they mature.
Understanding Pea Types and Growth Habits
Spacing depends on the variety’s growth habit, which falls into two main categories.
Bush or dwarf varieties are compact and self-supporting, usually reaching two to three feet tall. These varieties do not strictly require external support, although a low fence or short stakes can help prevent them from collapsing under a heavy harvest.
Vining varieties, also known as pole peas, are indeterminate climbers that often reach four to eight feet. These peas must be provided with a robust structure, such as a trellis or netting, to support their considerable weight and upward growth. All common pea types (shelling, snow, and snap) come in both bush and vining forms, so checking the seed packet for the expected mature height is necessary. The difference in mature size dictates the amount of horizontal space needed for successful cultivation.
Specific In-Row and Row Spacing Requirements
In-Row Spacing
The initial distance between seeds, or in-row spacing, is relatively close for all pea varieties to encourage a dense stand that helps suppress weeds. Seeds should be sown one to three inches apart along the planting line, at a depth of about one inch. Peas are generally planted densely and do not require thinning, and the plants rely on each other for initial, minor support.
Row Spacing for Bush Varieties
The space between parallel rows, known as row spacing, differs based on the pea’s growth habit. For self-supporting bush varieties, rows can be spaced between 12 and 24 inches apart. This distance is sufficient for accessing the plants and ensuring light penetration to the lower foliage.
Wide-Row and Double-Row Planting
Planting in wide-rows or double-rows is a common technique to increase yield in small areas. For short varieties, a wide-row can be 12 to 18 inches across, with peas staggered two inches apart in all directions. This allows the plants to naturally interlace and support each other. When planting a double-row of vining peas, the two parallel lines can be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart, with the trellis placed directly in the center of this narrow band. For single rows of vining peas, the space required between the supported rows must be much wider, ranging from 4 to 6 feet, to account for the necessary walking path.
Planning for Vertical Support
The need for a vertical structure for vining peas fundamentally changes the garden layout, as the support system itself must be factored into the row spacing. Taller varieties, which can exceed five feet, require a sturdy support like a metal cattle panel, wooden trellis, or durable netting. The height of the support should match the variety’s mature height to prevent the vines from toppling over and making the pods inaccessible.
When rows of trellised peas are planted parallel to each other, the distance between the two support structures must be generous to allow for maintenance and harvesting. A standard path or aisle of four to six feet between the centers of trellised rows is recommended. This wide spacing ensures that a gardener can comfortably reach the pods on both sides of the support without trampling the adjacent row.