Pea plants require vertical support to thrive, a necessity that dramatically increases the quality and quantity of the harvest. Allowing peas to sprawl on the ground subjects them to moisture, which encourages fungal diseases like powdery mildew and makes them vulnerable to pests. Providing a framework elevates the foliage, improving air circulation, which naturally limits disease spread. This vertical growth habit maximizes the use of garden space and makes the mature pods easier to locate and pick.
Distinguishing Pea Varieties and Support Needs
Pea varieties fall into two broad categories defined by their growth habit: bush (or dwarf) and vining (or climbing) types. Bush varieties, such as ‘Wando’ or ‘Little Marvel,’ remain compact, typically reaching 18 to 30 inches tall. These shorter plants generally require only minimal support to prevent their weak stems from collapsing under the weight of mature pods.
Vining varieties, including many popular shelling, snow, and snap peas, possess thin, grasping tendrils that allow them to climb much higher. These vigorous growers can easily attain heights between four and eight feet, necessitating a robust, tall structure to accommodate their full potential. The seed packet specifies the expected height, the most reliable indicator of the required support system’s scale.
Low-Maintenance Support Methods
For the shorter bush and dwarf pea varieties that grow under three feet, minimal infrastructure is sufficient to keep the plants upright and productive. One traditional method is the use of “pea brush,” which involves inserting small, branched tree trimmings or woody twigs directly into the soil along the pea row. The numerous fine branches provide a naturally textured lattice for the short vines and tendrils to grasp without manufactured materials.
Another effective, low-profile technique involves using short bamboo or wooden stakes driven into the ground every six to eight inches, with horizontal lines of garden twine strung between them. This creates a simple, layered fence that supports the plants as they grow. Alternatively, a short section of repurposed chicken wire or hardware cloth, secured by two end posts, offers a durable and reusable low-maintenance option for compact varieties.
Structural Support Systems for Climbing Varieties
Taller, vining peas demand more engineered and durable structures, often reaching heights that require a system between six and eight feet tall to support a full season’s growth. One common solution is the A-frame trellis, which provides structural stability and maximizes planting space by offering two angled surfaces for vertical growth. This structure is typically constructed using wood or metal poles hinged or lashed together at the top, forming a tent shape over the pea row.
Heavy-duty materials like cattle panels or hog wire fencing offer a rigid and long-lasting alternative that can support the considerable weight of a mature pea crop. These stiff wire sections, often four to five feet wide and up to eight feet tall, can be installed vertically or bent into an arch tunnel shape for efficient space utilization.
For a lighter approach, vertical netting or mesh made of nylon or durable plastic can be stretched taut between two tall, securely anchored posts. This type of system requires a mesh size large enough for easy harvesting but small enough for the pea tendrils to coil around effectively.
Installation Timing and Training
The effectiveness of any support system depends heavily on installing it at the correct time, ideally before or immediately upon planting the pea seeds. Erecting the structure first prevents accidental damage to young seedlings and disturbance of the shallow pea root system. The support should be ready to receive the young plants when they are only a few inches tall, before they begin to vine and tangle.
Once the first few inches of growth appear, growers can initiate the process of “training” the young pea plants onto the structure. While pea tendrils exhibit thigmotropism—the natural ability to sense and coil around objects—they sometimes need gentle guidance to find the support. This involves carefully tucking the young vines behind the netting or tying the main stem loosely to the lowest part of the structure using soft twine. This initial guidance ensures the plant establishes its upward trajectory, allowing subsequent tendrils to naturally latch onto the support as the plant gains height.