Spraying Austrian Winter Peas: Is It Possible?

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume with a range of agricultural uses. They are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen and are easy to establish in fall food plots. They can be sprayed with herbicides to kill them off before planting the next crop. Austrian winter peas are also edible and can be eaten like snap peas or used in salads and stir-fries. They can be sown in late summer through early fall and should be planted 4-6 weeks before the first hard frost.

Austrian winter peas can be sprayed with herbicides

Austrian winter peas are a great option for a cover crop, and they can easily be terminated with herbicides when needed. Here's a detailed guide on Austrian winter peas and their compatibility with herbicides:

Easy Termination with Herbicides

Austrian winter peas are known for their ease of termination when they are no longer needed. They can be easily killed with herbicides, making them a convenient choice for farmers and gardeners. This feature ensures that you can manage and control their growth effectively.

Austrian Winter Peas as a Cover Crop

Austrian winter peas are an excellent choice for a cover crop due to their ability to produce a significant amount of nitrogen. They are known for their superior cold tolerance compared to Canadian field peas, and they grow well when planted after wheat or other summer annuals. This makes them ideal for planting in late summer to early fall, depending on your region.

Planting Tips

For optimal results, it is recommended to plant Austrian winter peas about four to six weeks before the first hard frost in your area. In colder climates, aim for September planting, while in milder climates, you can plant as late as the end of October. They thrive in well-prepared seedbeds and can be broadcast or drilled. If broadcasting, be sure to follow up with light disking to cover the seeds.

Benefits of Austrian Winter Peas

Austrian winter peas offer a range of advantages. They are relatively inexpensive as a cover crop and mix well with other plants like oilseed radish. They provide a good source of nitrogen, producing 60-120#/acre of nitrogen. Additionally, they are easy to establish and have good winter hardiness, making them a versatile option for various regions.

Companion Planting

It is recommended to plant Austrian winter peas in a mixture with other preferred species. They pair well with various clover and cereal grain mixtures, creating a diverse and resilient food plot. Remember to adjust the planting rates of each species according to the number of species in the mixture.

Soil Preparation

Prior to planting, it is important to conduct a soil test to determine lime and fertilizer needs. While nitrogen fertilizer is not necessary due to their nitrogen-fixing ability, phosphorus and potassium should be applied at recommended rates. Inoculating the seeds with strain C or using pre-inoculated seeds will help ensure vigorous and healthy growth.

In conclusion, Austrian winter peas are a valuable cover crop that can be easily managed with herbicides when needed. They provide a range of benefits, including nitrogen fixation, improved soil health, and attractive forage for deer. By following the planting and care instructions outlined above, you can successfully incorporate Austrian winter peas into your garden or farm.

They are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen

Austrian Winter Peas are a great cover crop for producing nitrogen. They are a cool-season annual legume with good winter hardiness and can withstand very cold conditions. They grow well in a variety of soil types, but the best production occurs in light-textured loamy soils.

Austrian Winter Peas have a nitrogen-fixing ability due to their symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria. The bacteria colonize the plant's roots and pull nitrogen from the atmosphere, making it available to the plant. This nitrogen is then added to the soil for the next crop to use. Austrian Winter Peas produce 60-120#/acre of nitrogen and are relatively inexpensive to use as a cover crop.

They are easy to establish and can be broadcast or drilled into a well-prepared seedbed. It is recommended to plant them in August after the hottest days are over, and they need 5-6 weeks of growth for the best results. They grow to a height of 2-4 feet, depending on soil fertility and management, and produce flowers in the spring, which are pinkish-purple in colour.

Austrian Winter Peas are a great option for a cover crop, providing nitrogen to the soil and other benefits such as weed suppression and soil protection.

They can be planted in August or September

Austrian winter peas are typically planted in the fall, after the hottest days of summer have passed. In the Northern states, it is recommended to plant them in August, while in the South, planting in September is preferred. In fact, in some regions, you can even plant them as late as October.

Planting Austrian winter peas in August or September allows them to establish themselves before the cold winter months. They have good winter hardiness and can withstand very cold conditions. However, in colder climates, it is beneficial to have a good snow cover to protect the vines from freezing.

When planting Austrian winter peas, it is important to ensure that the seeds are inoculated. Inoculants help convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for the plants, promoting vigorous and healthy growth. The seeds should be planted in well-prepared soil, at a depth of 1 to 3 inches, with a planting rate of 2 1/2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Austrian winter peas are a great choice for a cover crop, as they produce a good source of nitrogen and have excellent cold tolerance. They can also be planted with other seeds, such as oilseed radishes or clover, to create a diverse and beneficial mixture.

Austrian winter peas are edible

Austrian winter peas are indeed edible and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. While they are often used as a cover crop to protect soil during winter, they also provide nutritional benefits for humans and livestock.

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season legume related to the familiar garden pea. The vines can grow to be 2 to 4 feet long and bear pink, purple, or white blooms in the spring. They are best planted in the fall, after the hottest days of summer have passed, and they can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F for brief periods. For those in colder climates, it is recommended to provide a good snow cover or use a row cover to protect the plants from freezing.

• Flowers: The bi-colored blossoms are not only beautiful but also edible. You can add them to your salads or use them as natural decorations for baked goods.
• Shoots: The young shoots have a nice pea-like flavor and can be added to salads and stir-fries. They are a tasty and nutritious treat for humans and livestock alike.
• Pods: If you let the peas continue growing into the spring, you can eat the young pods as snap peas or use them like shell peas.
• Mulch: When it's time to plant other crops in the spring, you can cut down the Austrian winter peas and use them as a layer of mulch. They will slowly decay, adding organic matter to the soil.

In addition to their culinary uses, Austrian winter peas offer several benefits as a cover crop. They help prevent soil erosion, provide habitat for beneficial insects and fungi, add nutrients and organic matter, and suppress weeds. They are also nitrogen fixers, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria that pull nitrogen out of the atmosphere, making it available to the plant and subsequently adding nitrogen to the soil for your next crop.

They are a cool-season annual legume

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume, native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. They are a low-growing, viney plant that can reach 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on soil fertility and management. The stems are hollow and slender, and the leaves are fleshy and pale green with toothed margins. Austrian winter peas produce flowers in spring, which are usually pinkish-purple, and the leaves have a nice pea-like flavour.

Austrian winter peas are a great source of nitrogen, producing 60-120#/acre N, or even 90-150 lbs/ac of nitrogen in some cases. They are easy to kill with herbicides and mix very well with oilseed radish. They are relatively inexpensive to use as a cover crop and are best planted at a depth of about 1/2". They need 5-6 weeks of growth for the best results, and only one grazing/harvest can be expected.

Austrian winter peas are very easy to establish and can be broadcast at a rate of 50 lbs/acre or drilled at a rate of 30 lbs/acre with a no-till drill. They should be planted in September through October in the South, and in August in northern states. In northern states, they can also be planted in April for a spring/summer planting. Austrian winter peas grow best in lower temperatures and moist areas but can withstand very cold conditions. They grow well in a variety of soil types but perform best in light-textured loamy soils.

Austrian winter peas are a great cool-season legume crop for wildlife food plots, cover crops, and winter grazing. They are also a tasty green, with the young shoots adding a nice pea-like flavour to salads and stir-fries.

Frequently asked questions