Pea seeds are among the most popular microgreens to grow - and for good reason. They're easy to grow, taste great and are some of the most filling seeds you can get.
In this blog, we dive into how to grow your pea seeds and we'll give you the best guide to ensure you get a good result the next time you take the plunge.
Pea microgreens are easy to grow, they have a great sweet flavour, with a crispy and juicy texture which also makes them perfect for many different types of dishes, such as sandwiches, pizza, burgers, wraps or just normal salads.
Another advantage is that they can often germinate twice, making it optimal to grow pea seeds
Benefits of pea microgreens
- Fast growth: Ready to harvest after 8-12 days
- High germination rate
- Good source of vitamins A, C and K
- Can be grown year-round indoors
What you need to grow organic pea seeds
To get started growing your own microgreens, you need to do the following
Materials and equipment
- Dried pea seeds (preferably organic)
- A low tray or container with drainage holes
- Arable land or hemp mat
- Water atomiser or spray bottle
- A bright place - e.g. a windowsill or underneath grow lights
💡 Pro tip: Soak the seeds for 8-12 hours before sowing - this speeds up germination.
💡 Pro tip: The sun is not always out, so we advise people to use grow lights.
Step-by-step guide: How to grow your own pea shoots
1. Prepare the seeds
Place the seeds in a bowl of water and let them soak for up to 12 hours. This gets them ready to germinate quickly and efficiently.
2. Prepare the tray
Fill the tray with a thin layer of moist soil (about 2-3 cm) or use another growing medium such as a hemp mat.
3. So dense and smooth
Spread the soaked seeds in a dense layer - but avoid layering them on top of each other.
4. Create darkness for germination
Cover the seeds with another tray or lid and leave them in the dark for 2 days. This will help them to start growing.
5. Provide light and moisture
When the sprouts emerge, remove the cover and place the tray in daylight. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil slightly moist - every day.
6. Harvest your green shoots
After 8-12 days, your pea sprouts are ready to harvest. Cut them above the soil surface with clean scissors and rinse them lightly before use.
Storage and use of your homegrown shoots
The application can be many different things, we can't 100% say you can only use them for these things, but here are some of the things we have used them for.
Pizza: You can put it on top of pizza for extra flavour.
Sandwiches: Can add extra crunchy and sweet flavour to your sandwiches that can give a better twist compared to the typical iceberg lettuce or rocula used, so use some pea shoots instead.
Sandwiches: It can often be used as a garnish as it gives a nice green colour and can be a good substitute for the typical dull cress that is often used for most sandwiches.
Hot dishes: Can also be added on top of hot dishes as a garnish and flavour booster, although it should be noted that it won't taste as good if you add them during cooking.
However, it should be said, it can also be eaten plain if people think they want a healthy and delicious snack.
Fresh pea shoots will keep for 5-7 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.
Frequently asked questions pea seeds and home growing
Can you reuse the soil you have used before
It is recommended to use brand new soil to ensure there is no bacteria, any other contamination of mould or disease, roots and debris from your previous plants can compromise the results you can get.
What do I do if mould occurs?
It is important that there is good air circulation, make sure not to overwater, and remove any mould immediately to avoid spreading.
Should you use fertiliser?
You can easily grow without the use of fertiliser, however, we would say that the growth phase can be increased if you use fertiliser.
You can find some information about the fertiliser we use for our microgreens here
If you have any doubts about what microgreens are or have other questions for us, you can always find our contact information here.
