Peas are a delicious and nutritious vegetable that are easy to grow in most climates Many gardeners enjoy growing peas not only for eating fresh off the vine but also to save seeds for future plantings Saving pea seeds from your home garden can provide you with an ongoing, inexpensive source of seeds perfectly adapted to your growing conditions.
Drying and storing pea seeds properly is important to maintain their viability for planting next season. Follow these simple steps for collecting and preparing pea seeds from your garden.
When to Harvest Peas for Seed
Peas can be harvested for seed once the pea pods have turned completely yellow or brown and look dried out. The peas inside will be hard and may rattle inside the pod when shaken, indicating they are mature.
Don’t harvest too early while pods are still green, as the seeds will not be viable. The peas need time on the plant to fully develop. However, also avoid leaving pods on the vines too long once they have dried, as they can shatter and spill the seeds.
Aim to harvest pea pods for seed around the same time the plant finishes producing pods for fresh eating. This is usually sometime mid to late summer, depending on your climate and variety grown.
How to Collect and Dry Pea Seeds
Collect pea pods by cutting or pulling them off the plant once dried. Break pods open to remove the seeds inside.
Pea seeds can vary in color from light green to tan or brown depending on variety Mature seeds will be quite hard and wrinkled looking
After removing seeds from pods, spread them out in a single layer on a screen, paper plates, or baking sheets. Allow seeds to dry for 1-2 weeks in a well-ventilated, dry indoor location out of direct sunlight. Stir or turn seeds daily to ensure even drying.
Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold growth in storage. Pea seeds are ready for storage when completely hard and brittle.
Storing Dried Pea Seeds
Once thoroughly dried, pea seeds store well for up to 3 years in a cool, dark place. Choose an airtight container such as a glass jar, plastic tub, or zipper bag. Mini paper envelopes also work well for small batches.
For best germination rates over time, store seeds with a silica gel desiccant pack to absorb any residual moisture. Place seeds in the freezer for a day or two before sealing in airtight containers to kill any potential insects or eggs.
Label all seed packets with the pea variety and year harvested. Store different varieties separately to avoid cross-pollination.
Tips for Seed Saving Success
-
Choose open-pollinated, non-hybrid pea varieties for seed saving Hybrid peas will not produce true-to-type plants from saved seeds.
-
Allow peas to fully mature and dry on vines before harvesting for seeds.
-
Dry seeds thoroughly before storage to prevent mold growth.
-
Store seeds in cool, dark, dry conditions for best viability over time.
-
Use heirloom pea varieties to preserve genetic diversity. Save seeds from your best, healthiest plants.
-
Isolate different pea varieties by distance or protective cages to prevent cross-pollination.
-
Rotate where you grow peas each year to prevent disease buildup in soil.
-
Share extra seeds with other gardeners to help conserve varieties.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Moldy seeds – Harvested too early or did not dry thoroughly before storage. Discard moldy seeds.
Low germination – Seeds stored in poor conditions or are too old. Use fresh seeds.
Off-type plants – Cross-pollination occurred between varieties. Cage or isolate plants.
Diseased plants – Disease pathogens present in soil. Rotate planting sites.
Insect damage – Major pests like pea weevil can damage dried seeds. Freeze seeds before storing.
The Reward of Seed Saving
Learning how to properly dry and store pea seeds is simple and rewarding. Saving seeds allows you to grow improved, localized varieties of peas perfectly suited to your growing conditions. You can pass treasured heirloom peas down to future generations of gardeners.
The ability to produce your own seeds also provides independence and security for your garden. You don’t have to rely on buying new seeds every year. Just be sure to follow the guidelines outlined here for harvesting ripe pods, drying seeds thoroughly, and storing in cool, dry conditions for best results.
How to Grow Peas
It is easy to see why this early-season crop is a popular garden plant. Peas require little care beyond a trellis and pest protection, yet they produce prolific amounts of snappy pods throughout the spring and summer.
Sow peas outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked, but do not sow outdoors when soil temperatures are below 50 degrees F as germination is erratic and poor in cold soil.
Seeds should be planted at a depth of ½–1 inch and between 2–3 inches apart. Space rows of peas at least 18 inches apart.
Pea plants require a trellis to support their climbing habit. Panels of thick wire, such as cattle panels, work well for this purpose. Alternatively, you can set up bamboo trellises or build a system of chicken wire or twine for peas to climb.
Peas do not tolerate drought, excessive temperatures, or waterlogged soil. Peas should be grown in an open, sheltered position on moisture-retentive, deep, free-draining soil.
When and How to Harvest for Food Consumption
Peas can be harvested in the snap/green stage, the shelling stage, or the dry stage. Snap peas are ready for harvest when the pods are still tender, before the seeds start to swell. Shelling peas are ready when the pods are tender and the seeds are round and plump. Dry peas are ready for harvest when the pods are dry and brittle and the seeds inside are hard.
Early peas are great for fresh eating while later peas can be shelled and enjoyed in salads, soups, and stir fries. Snap peas and snow peas are often eaten whole. Dried peas can be cooked like beans and used in soups, stews, and dips. Pea shoots also make a tasty snack.
Blanch and freeze peas if you would like to save your spring flavors for another day; use within a year. Peas can also be left on the vine to dry. Dry peas will store for several years in a cool, dry place.
Saving Pea Seeds Made Easy!
FAQ
How do you dry peas for seed?
Anywhere warm and dry but with good airflow will do the job. Once the pods are cracking, shell the peas out and dry for another few days to a week.
Do pea seeds need to dry before planting?
They should land with a hard clack. Any hint of a dull thud is a sign of moisture. However, if you’re planning to plant them immediately you don’t need to dry them out fully. You can plant them straight away, although I’ve personally had more success by drying them down at least partially before sowing them.
How to dry peas at home?
Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period.
How do you Dry Pea seed?
There are a few ways to dry pea seed. The very best way is to do it naturally. The ideal thing would be to just let the peas dry naturally on the vine in your garden. They can stay on the pea shoots for months. When they become dry and brown, carefully pick off the mature pods into a small bucket or basket.
Are peas good for hair?
Peas are full of many nutrients that could be beneficial for hair health, however, many foods contain these nutrients, and I wouldn’t recommend adding peas to your diet solely for hair health benefits. Peas are healthy and I would recommend adding them to you diet if you like to eat them.
How do you keep Peas dry?
Place the screen in a warm, dry area with good air circulation. Make sure the peas are spaced out evenly, since this will help them dry faster. Turn the peas every few days to ensure that they’re drying evenly. Check the peas every few days to see if they’re done. They should be completely dry and the pods should be brittle.
How long does it take for peas to dry?
Make sure the peas are in a single layer, and not touching each other. Now you’ll just need to wait – it usually takes 3-4 weeks for peas to dry for seed. Make sure to stir the peas every few days to ensure even drying. When the peas are completely dry, they’re ready for storage.
Why do you need to dry peas?
Drying peas is a great way to preserve them for use throughout the year. The process of drying peas requires the peas to be heated and dried in a specific temperature range in order to avoid damaging the peas or creating an unpleasant texture. Knowing the proper temperature to dry peas is essential for achieving the desired results.
Should you dry peas before harvesting?
Letting the peas dry out a bit on the plant first is also to your benefit because it will save you on drying time later on. Once your peas are harvested, go ahead and lay them out on some kind of flat surface to finish drying.