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Pisum sativum subsp. arvense
Winter peas, also known as “field peas”, are a cool-season annual legume showing good nitrogen fixing properties. Winter peas are low growing, viny, and have been shown to fix over 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year. The plants have 2 to 4 foot long, thin, hollow, stems and purple or reddish-pink flowers. As their name would suggest, winter peas have great winter hardiness and can be successfully grown in the grain belt states of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Great Plains and inter-mountain regions of the west.
Monoculture | In Mixes | Seeding Rate: | 50 lbs/acre drilled 70 lbs/acre broadcast | 25-30 lbs/acre drilled
35-40 lbs/acre broadcast |
|---|---|---|
Planting Depth: | 1/2 to 1 inch: If broadcast, the soil should be tilled lightly to cover the seed. | |
Ideal Soil: | Prefers well-drained soils within a pH range of 6.3-7.0 |
Species/Variety | Lifespan | Root Structure | Carbon Ratio | pH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Legumes/ Survivor Winter Peas | A | FIBROUS | 20:1 | 5.5 – 7.0 |
Lifespan: A = Annual; B = Biennial; P = Perennial
Tolerates well or is useful for
Is somewhat tolerant or is somewhat useful for
Is not tolerant or should not be used for
| Nitrogen Fixation | Ability to fix nitrogen into your soil for your subsequent cash crops to utilize as fertilizer for growth and energy | |
| Weed Suppression | Ability to suppress weeds by shading soil and releasing allelopathic chemicals | |
| Beneficial Insectary | Ability to attract beneficial insects and reduce your reliance on costly insecticides | |
| Forage Quality | Ability to improve forage quality by suppressing weeds and providing highly nutritious forage | |
| Nutrient Recycling | Ability to store excess nutrients from cash crops for use in subsequent plantings | |
| Quick Regrowth | Ability to increase soil organic matter by accumulating biomass in a short period of time | |
| Soil Compaction | Ability to increase nutrient uptake and root development by breaking up dense and compacted soil | |
| Erosion Control | Ability to hold soil in place to capture and retain moisture from rainfall and prevent topsoil erosion | |
| Water Management | Ability to increase field productivity by improving the drainage of wet soils | |
| Nematode Resistance | Ability to suppress the growth of nematodes by interrupting their reproductive cycles |
| Heat | Ability to tolerate heat stress caused by warm temperatures and/or limited water availability | |
| Drought | Ability to tolerate periods of limited water availability | |
| Sub-Freezing | Ability to tolerate freezing temperatures for an extended period of time | |
| Shade | Ability to tolerate low light conditions caused by plant competition | |
| Flood | Ability to tolerate standing water or flooded areas for a limited period of time | |
| Low Fertility | Ability to tolerate soils with limited nitrogen, and other mineral resources necessary for growth |
| Silage | |
| Hay | |
| Grazing | |
| Stockpile |
| Corn | |
| Cotton | |
| Rice | |
| Soybean | |
| Wheat |
| Monoculture | In Mixes | |
|---|---|---|
| Seeding Rate | 50 lbs/acre drilled 70 lbs/acre broadcast |
25-30 lbs/acre drilled 35-40 lbs/acre broadcast |
| Planting depth | 1/2 to 1 inch: If broadcast, the soil should be tilled lightly to cover the seed. | |
| Ideal Soil | Prefers well-drained soils within a pH range of 6.3-7.0 | |
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