The asparagus pea is an attractive half hardy annual with small winged, edible pods. Its bright green leaves and crimson flowers make it worth growing just for its appearance alone. This plant is a prolific cropper.

Ideal Site- Asparagus Pea prefers an open sunny site, with light but fertile soil. It will succeed in hot, dry soils where true peas fail. It can also be grown in containers. Avoid sowing seeds in soils that are wet and cold as they can sometimes be attacked by fungus, then germination is poor.

No soil treatment is needed if soil has been improved by a previous crop; otherwise apply a low or medium-fertility soil improver depending on soil conditions. The ideal soil pH is 6-7

Seed to Harvest- 8-10 weeks

Cultivation- Undercover: Sow in trays or cell packs in May or June. Harden off and plant outside 6 weeks after sowing. Outside: Sow from mid April to the end of May, ¾ in (2cm) deep. Asparagus peas must not be grown in the same plot as in the previous year.

Spacing- Rows: 4-6in x 12in (10-15cm x30cm) or in blocks of 8in (20cm) each way.

Plant Care- Watering plants once flowers have set makes the pods tenderer. When the seedlings are about 3 in. (7.5cm) high, they should be given support so that they to not sprawl over, this can be done by erecting posts at the end of each row on both sides of the plants, between these fasten string so that there is support from both sides of the row. Mulching around the asparagus pea plants helps to retain moisture

 

Problems- Birds, mice, pea moth, pea and bean weevil, pea thrips, and root rot.

Harvesting- Pick the pods frequently when they are ready to encourage even more pods. The pods should be 1in (2-3cm) long, as they quickly become stringy and tough. Picking is easiest in the evening when leaves fold down.

Nutrients- Asparagus pea contains calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamins, A, B6, B12, C