Austrian Winter Peas, often called field peas, are a cool-season annual legume used as a cover crop to enhance soil health and fertility. This variety, belonging to the Pisum sativum species, is valued for its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil for subsequent cash crops. Planting them protects the soil from erosion during colder months and generates organic matter that can be incorporated in the spring. They are adaptable to various soil types and are cold-hardy, allowing them to establish during the fall and winter.
Selecting the Planting Window and Preparing the Soil
The timing of planting is important for maximizing the benefits of Austrian Winter Peas, which are typically sown in the late summer or early fall. Establishing the crop 6 to 8 weeks before the first hard freeze allows seedlings to develop a strong root system before winter dormancy. This window, generally mid-August through early to mid-October depending on the climate, ensures substantial fall growth and better winter survival. Fall planting is preferred for maximizing nitrogen accumulation and biomass.
Proper site selection requires an area that receives full sun. Although this cover crop tolerates various soil textures, it performs best in well-drained soils and is sensitive to waterlogged conditions. Before seeding, a soil test should confirm a near-neutral pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0, to ensure optimal nutrient uptake and nitrogen fixation.
Initial soil preparation involves removing heavy crop residue or actively growing weeds that could compete with the young pea plants. Light tillage or loosening the topsoil helps create a fine seedbed texture. This shallow preparation ensures good seed-to-soil contact, which is necessary for successful and uniform germination.
Step-by-Step Guide to Seeding Austrian Winter Peas
Before the seed touches the soil, inoculate the peas with the correct Rhizobium bacteria, specifically Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae. This powdered inoculant contains the specialized bacteria that forms nodules on the pea roots, enabling the plant to capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a usable form. Coat the seed with the inoculant just prior to planting, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and keep it out of direct sunlight to protect the live bacteria.
The seeding rate varies based on the method used and whether the peas are planted alone or in a mix. For planting a pure stand using a drill, the rate ranges from 30 to 50 pounds of seed per acre. If broadcasting the seed across the surface, a higher rate of 45 to 65 pounds per acre is recommended to account for less uniform coverage. For smaller areas, this translates to roughly 1 to 2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.
Achieving the proper planting depth is important for successful establishment, as the ideal range is a shallow one-half to one inch. Planting beyond 1.5 inches can significantly reduce the establishment rate and stand density. Using a seed drill is the most effective method to achieve consistent depth and excellent seed-to-soil contact. When broadcasting, light raking or harrowing is necessary to cover the seeds, as seeds left on the surface will not germinate well.
Post-Planting Care and Termination
Immediately following planting, water the seedbed to support the initial germination phase, especially if the soil is dry. Consistent moisture is required until the young plants are well-established, typically within the first two weeks. Once established, Austrian Winter Peas are hardy, capable of surviving cold down to 10°F, though a prolonged drop below 18°F without snow cover may result in significant winterkill.
As temperatures drop, the plants go dormant, resuming vigorous growth in the early spring. This spring growth is when the peas fix the majority of their nitrogen and accumulate the most biomass. The window for termination occurs in the spring, ideally once the plants begin to flower, as this timing maximizes the nitrogen contribution to the soil.
Termination must be completed before the plants set viable seed, which would lead to the peas becoming a weed problem in the subsequent crop. For small plots, this can be achieved by mowing the plants down to the ground or using shallow cultivation to cut the succulent stems.
On a larger scale, the peas can be terminated with light tillage or a roller-crimper, though the crimper is most effective when the vines reach a height of at least 14 inches. Leaving the terminated residue on the soil surface protects against erosion and acts as a beneficial mulch layer.