Sowing before winter allows you to get the desired harvest in the spring. To do this, seeds of frost-resistant crops are sown in late autumn. Many gardeners wonder whether it is possible to plant peas before winter. The crop is suitable for planting for the winter, however, you should know how and when it is best to plant, as well as the varieties that are most suitable for this purpose.
Is it possible to plant peas before winter?
Winter peas are a relatively new crop that deserves due attention. Seeds that have been hardened over the winter and are well swollen germinate faster, resulting in an earlier and larger harvest.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peas contain many useful vitamins, fiber, carotene and protein.
Planting seeds before winter has advantages and disadvantages. Among the positive aspects are noted:
- Planted seeds take advantage of the first warmth and spring moisture, quickly germinate and are characterized by good seedlings.
- Plants are less susceptible to various diseases and pests.
- Due to earlier germination, the harvest is obtained several weeks earlier than what was sown in the spring.
- Winter hardening provides excellent frost resistance.
- With the advent of summer drought, a good root system is formed in winter-sown plants. Thanks to this, more harvest is obtained.
- Sowing before winter allows you to monitor whether seedlings have appeared in the spring and replant if necessary.
Another advantage is the fact that after harvesting an early harvest, you can re-sow seeds in the beds, the fruits of which will be in late autumn.
If we talk about the disadvantages, winter sowing is possible only for spring-summer vegetables. Uneven maturation of the crop is also noted.
Winter planting varieties
For pre-winter planting, winter pea varieties are selected that will withstand low temperatures and produce a good harvest.
The NS Moroz variety has passed the necessary tests; among its positive qualities, frost resistance, productivity, resistance to diseases and lodging are noted. Harvesting is carried out 10 days before harvesting winter barley, around June 10–15. The yield is 4–6 t/ha.
What fertilizers to apply before planting
In the fall, when digging, organic matter is added to the beds - humus, compost. It is best to plant peas in soil where beets, potatoes, zucchini, corn, and eggplants were previously grown.
The application of mineral fertilizers is carried out based on the content of nutritional components in the soil and the level of the expected harvest. Winter peas are fertilized using potassium chloride, ammophos and complex minerals.
Soil preparation
For legumes, it is important to create the proper conditions. When sowing before winter, it is preferable to use peat cups in which the root system of plants develops. Germination is best done at home.
When to plant?
Landing is mainly carried out between November 17–23. However, there are no exact dates, since planting is carried out when the ground is slightly frozen. You first need to make special grooves for the seeds.
Seed preparation
Peas can be sown dry or germinated. Some people warm up the seeds before sowing by lowering them for 5–10 minutes. into a solution consisting of water and boric acid (2 g per 10 liters of water). Pre-sowing treatment of this type provides protection against plant damage by pests, including the larva of the nodule weevil.
Soaking in plain warm water lasts at least 15 hours. Planting is carried out only after complete swelling. It is also recommended to add growth stimulants to the water.
When planting in winter, peas are planted dry, otherwise the seeds may germinate and die.
Sowing before winter
The grooves in the ground prepared for sowing do not need to be watered. Plant peas more often than with regular sowing, since some weak seeds may die and not germinate.
The seeds are covered with soil that has been prepared in advance and left in a barn or other room at above-zero temperatures.
What to do in spring?
With the onset of spring, the growth of wintering peas begins from underground buds.The yield is much higher and ripens earlier.
To improve the regeneration of above-ground mass, the formation of lateral shoots and the regrowth of the root system, in the spring you need to fertilize using nitrogen fertilizers. To ensure disease resistance, fungicide treatment is performed.
By following simple rules, you can plant peas in your own garden before winter and get a good harvest. Proper preparation and planting will ensure the plants are healthy and develop properly.
