Bean and Pea Plants
There are peas and beans - and then there are home grown peas and beans. There’s nothing like picking armfuls of crunchy pea pods fresh from your own plot, then cracking them open and eating a few (dozen) raw before they even reach the kitchen. Our Lancashire growers nurture their pea and bean plants year-round to make sure they’re ready for you to plant out at exactly the right time. Easy to grow, space saving and with flowers to rival many ornamental plants, every garden should have some!
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South Downs National Park
Meet Josh
Slow grown veg from the sunny South Downs
Our vegetable plants are sown on a family farm in Lancashire, then nurtured into strong young plants by Josh in the sunny South Downs before they rock up in your garden. By selecting only the strongest and tastiest varieties, Josh makes sure you get a headstart on your plot, with impressive crops and no waste.
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Bean and Pea FAQs
When is the best time to plant peas and beans in the UK?
Peas and beans can be planted in spring when the soil is warm and the last risk of frost has passed. It’s a good idea to plant them in succession for a steady supply throughout the summer.
What type of soil do pea and bean plants prefer?
The best soil for peas and beans is well drained and rich in organic matter such as compost or well rotted manure, ideally at a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0.
How much sunlight do pea and bean plants need?
Peas and beans do best in full sun, and should be grown in a position where they’ll get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
Do pea and bean plants need support?
Unless you’re growing broad beans or a dwarf variety of peas or beans, your plants will need some support. Peas need a fine mesh to cling to, whereas climbing beans will twine around canes, trellises or frames - you can find out more about all of these in our guide to supporting peas and beans.
How often should I water pea and bean plants?
Pea and bean plants need a consistently moist - but not waterlogged - soil. This will likely be around once a week but more often during hot, dry spells.
Do pea and bean plants need fertiliser?
Peas and beans are nitrogen fixing plants, so they don’t need any additional nitrogen. You can, however, give them a boost with a potassium and phosphorus based food when you plant them.
How do I harvest pea and bean crops?
Harvest your peas when the pods are plump and you can see the peas inside them. If you’re planning to eat the whole pod (for example mangetout or sugar snaps) you can harvest them sooner, before the peas fully develop. Pick french and runner beans when they’re the size you want them, and other beans when the pods are plump and you can see the beans inside them. If you pick regularly, this will encourage the plants to produce more. There’s even more advice in our guides to growing green beans and growing peas.
