Spring Field Pea

Field Peas (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense)

Field Peas are a versatile, fast-growing cool-season legume often used as a cover crop, forage, and nitrogen fixer in regenerative agriculture systems. Known for their ability to improve soil health and provide valuable forage for livestock, these peas are an excellent addition to permaculture gardens, orchards, and silvopasture systems. Their dense foliage suppresses weeds, and their nitrogen-fixing roots enrich the soil. Field Peas are also a valuable food source, with edible peas and tender shoots that are high in protein and fiber.

Key Characteristics:

• Nitrogen fixation for soil health: Field Peas form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, adding nitrogen back into the soil. This process reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and enhances soil fertility, benefiting future crops. It’s an ideal cover crop in crop rotations, helping to regenerate the land.

• Weed suppression and erosion control: Field Peas grow quickly and form a dense canopy that shades out competing weeds. Their extensive root systems also stabilize the soil, making them useful for erosion control in gardens, meadows, and sloped areas.

• Livestock forage and silvopasture: Field Peas are highly nutritious and palatable for livestock, providing high-protein forage. They fit well into silvopasture systems where livestock graze under tree canopies, contributing to soil health and animal welfare.

• Edible shoots and peas: Both the young shoots and peas of Field Peas are edible and rich in nutrients. The shoots are a gourmet addition to salads and stir-fries, while the peas can be used fresh, dried, or cooked for human consumption, making them a valuable crop in both food forests and vegetable gardens.

• Cold-hardy, versatile crop: Field Peas thrive in cool weather, making them an excellent choice for early spring or fall planting. They can be intercropped with grains or other cover crops, maximizing land use and providing multiple ecosystem benefits.

Product Details:

• Native range: Mediterranean and Near East, widely cultivated
• Plant life cycle: Annual
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil requirements: Well-drained, medium-moisture soils; tolerates a range of soil types
• Mature height: 2-4 feet
• Bloom time: April to June
• Bloom color: White or pale pink
• USDA Hardiness zones: 3-9

Field Peas are a versatile and valuable addition to any regenerative farming system, offering soil fertility, forage, and food. Easy to grow and beneficial for the ecosystem, they support both plant and animal health in sustainable landscapes.