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Seeding
Seeding Date: Producers should seed early to avoid heat stress during flowering and frost during the later stages of seed maturation. Pea will germinate in cool 39 to 41 degrees F soils. But, you should avoid seeding into wet, poorly-drained, cold soils because pea seeds will rot, or roots will become subject to disease and rot. Pea growing points remain below ground so seedlings can withstand a mild frost 23 to 19 degrees F without damage. Even if spring frost kills the main shoot, regrowth will occur from axillary buds located in the axils off the vestigial leaves just below the soil surface.
Seeding Depth: One of the main points to remember about seeding pea is seed well into moisture at least 1/2 inch into moisture. Pea on average takes three times the water for germination and emergence than does wheat. Seeding at a depth of one to three inches is recommended. Avoid seeding pea into dry soil.
Seeding Rate: It is important to use the recommended seeding rates to gain optimum yields. Seeding rates will vary depending on the seeds per pound and will vary from 120 to 180 pounds per acre. Seed rates may vary because seed weights are not the same year to year. Drills should be calibrated for each variety and seed lot to achieve optimum seed rates. The goal is approximately 300,000 to 325,000 plants per acre or 8 plants per square foot. This is about 4 seeds per foot in drill rows 6 inches apart. Germination percentage should be taken into account.
After seeding, it is best to harrow-pack the land to level it and bury any remaining loose stones. Again, it is important to leave the land as level and smooth as possible to make the job of straight combining or swathing pea easier.
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