How to Grow Peas In Paperpots (Paper Chain Pots)

Radicle Roots Farm Snohomish, WA

Growing Peas in Paperpots


Better germination!

No hand transplanting!

Less transplant shock!


Tired of spotty germination from low temps when direct sowing peas? Use the Paperpot Transplanter! Peas are one of the most popular crops to use with the Paperpot system. Save your time, and save your back by planting peas in paper pots!

“Planting peas with the Paperpot Transplalnter. It’s kind of life changing. 🌱🌱🌱”

Whipstone Farm, Paulden AZ

The Specifications for Paperpot Peas


PAPER CHAIN POT2"
ROWS PER 100’ X 30” BED2
TRAYS PER 100’ X 30” BED 4
KWIK KLIK™ TOP PLATE N/A
SEEDS PER CELL 3 (+/) *Broadcast 400 g of soaked peas evenly over entire tray (200 g dry = 400 g soaked)
SEED PER 100’ X 30’ BED1.75 lbs dry (+/-) *Always round up when placing seed orders to ensure having enough
RECOMMENDED CULTIVARSSugar Snap
GERMINATION 3 days at 75°F
DAYS TO TRANSPLANT 10 days (+/-) *time from seeding to transplanting in the field
DAYS TO MATURITY 60 days (+/-) *time from seeding to being ready for harvest
HARVEST WINDOW28 days (+/-) *time crop is at ideal stage for harvest after reaching maturity
TOTAL DAYS IN FIELD 78 days (+/-) *DTM + harvest window - days to transplant
HARVEST UNIT pounds
TARGET CROP YIELD 60 pounds (+/-)
PRICE PER UNIT $10 *depending on local market pricing
REVENUE PER BED $600 *depending on local market pricing
SEEDINGBucket for soaking, measuring cup for scooping and spreading
TRANSPLANTINGPaperpot Transplanter
TILTHINGPower Harrow or Precision Depth Roller (With no tractor: Tither)
AERATIONMeadow Creature Broadfork
SHAPINGBed Preparation Rake
WEED CONTROLFlame Weeder
CULTIVATIONCollinear Hoe, or Stirrup Hoe
tools-paperpot

Suggested Tools for Paperpot Peas


Bed Preparation for Paperpot Transplanting


  • Broadfork the bed to aerate and loosen the soil.
  • Smooth and shape the bed with a bed preparation rake, removing any debris.
  • Peas will benefit from a fresh application of compost before planting.
  • If compost was added to the previous crop, you can instead add a combination of alfalfa meal and pelleted chicken manure for a boost in fertility.
  • If layering compost, do not tilth in hopes of smothering any surface weed seed.
  • If adding amendments, tilth the top 1-2” of soil to mix in amendments.
  • Irrigate for 10-14 days*, allowing any weed seed in the top layer of soil to germinate.
  • Flame weed the bed when the cotyledons of the weed seeds have emerged.

Planting Peas in Paperpots


Seeding Peas in Paperpots


Soak peas in a bucket of water for 8-24 hours.

Rinse the peas well after soaking, just prior to planting. An industrial colander works well.

Prepare trays with 2” paper chain pots, and fill with potting mix.

Evenly spread 400 g of soaked peas over the entire tray, ensuring even coverage over each cell.

The target is approximately 3 seeds per cell. 

Water trays and place in germination chamber at 75°. Germination should occur at 3 days.

Transfer the trays to greenhouse tables after germination until 10 days old. 

Pea seedlings should be transplanted when they are approximately 3-5” tall.

If root mass has grown through the bottom of the trays and formed a mat, shave off the roots using the ramp of the Paperpot Transplanter. 

Plant 2 rows on a 30” bed: 15” between rows, 7.5” from the outer rows to the edge of the bed.

Thoroughly water the trays before heading to the field for transplanting.

Reference https://paperpot.co/learn/ for instructional videos if needed.

Transplanting Peas with the Paperpot Transplanter


Irrigation


Peas will do best with two rows of drip. Keeping the pods and foliage dry will avoid disease.

Cultivate around 14-18 days after transplanting with a collinear hoe. A side dressing of alfalfa meal or blood meal will benefit the crops at this time as well.

When the peas are over 10” tall, covering the beds with straw will help smother future weeds.

Pound in a 7’ T-post in between the two rows every 10’ for the length of the bed.

Install a 1.25” PVC “T” at the top of each post, and run 1/2” EMT metal pipe through the T’s for the length of the bed to form a top rail.

Trellis netting can then be installed between all of the posts, and fastened to the top rail.

Periodically run tomato twine in front of the plants to prevent them from falling forward.

 

Cultivation & Trellising


Harvesting Peas


When peas are around the thickness of your little finger, they can be harvested every other day.

Harvest starting at the base of the plant and move upward. 

Pinch the peas between your index and middle finger, and use your thumb to snap above the cap of the pod to avoid breakage.

Avoid washing peas, and if they do get wet, keep the storage bins open for a couple hours in the cooler before sealing them back up.

Peas can be stored at 35-40° and should be sold within four days of harvest. 

Washing and Packing



Overall Paper Chain Pots are a great way to increase efficiency for growing Peas.


Ease of transplanting, higher germination rates, and getting an earlier start in the season are some of the reasons why growing Peas in paper chain pots makes so much sense.

Get started growing Peas on your farm using a Paperpot Transplanter and download the Growers Notes below.

INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A PAPERPOT TRANSPLANTER?


If you have any questions, please reach out hello@paperpot.co or 877.850.1555.