Spring Planting: Austrian Winter Peas Guide

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume that has been grown for centuries as a valuable source of nutrition for humans and livestock. They are typically planted in the fall, but can also be planted in the spring in cooler regions. In warmer areas, Austrian winter peas should be planted in late spring or early summer to avoid hot temperatures that can inhibit their growth. The best time to plant Austrian winter peas is after the hottest days of summer have passed, usually in August or September. They are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen and can grow well when planted after wheat or other summer annuals.

Austrian winter peas are a good source of nutrition for humans and livestock

Austrian winter peas, also known as field peas, have been cultivated around the world for centuries. They are a valuable source of nutrition for both humans and livestock.

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume, which means they can be successfully grown in spring and summer in cooler regions. They are low-growing, viney plants that can reach 2-4 feet in height, depending on soil fertility and management. They produce pink, purple, or white blooms in spring and are a good source of nutrition for humans and livestock.

Austrian winter peas are a good source of protein and lack the allergens commonly found in soybeans and peanuts. They have a low glycemic index and are not genetically modified. The young shoots can be added to salads and stir-fries, while the young pods can be eaten like snap peas or used like shell peas.

In addition to their nutritional benefits for humans, Austrian winter peas are also widely used as a cover crop for livestock. They are a good source of nitrogen, which helps to improve soil health and fertility. They are also used to attract wildlife, such as deer, quail, doves, and wild turkeys.

Overall, Austrian winter peas are a versatile and nutritious plant that can benefit both people and animals.

They are a cool-season annual legume

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume. They are a low-growing, viney plant that can reach 2 to 4 feet in height, depending on soil fertility and management. The stems are hollow and slender, and the fleshy leaves are pale green with toothed margins. The plant also contains branched, slender tendrils on the top.

Austrian winter peas are typically planted in autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed. However, in colder climates, they can be planted as an annual in early spring. They perform well in nearly any type of well-drained soil but require consistent moisture. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above and can withstand temperatures as low as 0°F for brief periods.

Austrian winter peas have a range of agricultural uses due to their nitrogen-fixing ability. They are often planted as a cover crop and are valued for their ability to produce nitrogen, suppress weeds, and prevent soil erosion. They are also grown by home gardeners and backyard chicken farmers, who appreciate their ornamental value and edible shoots and flowers. Additionally, they are a popular choice for game hunters as they attract wildlife such as deer, quail, doves, and wild turkeys.

When planting Austrian winter peas, it is recommended to use inoculated seeds or to inoculate your own seeds. The seeds should be planted in well-prepared soil at a rate of 2 1/2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet and covered with 1 to 3 inches of soil.

They are easy to establish in fall food plots

Austrian winter peas are easy to establish in fall food plots. They are a cool-season legume with good winter hardiness and can withstand very cold conditions. They grow well in a variety of soil types but thrive in light-textured loamy soils.

To establish Austrian winter peas in a fall food plot, it is important to prepare the soil by conducting a soil test to determine lime and fertilizer requirements. While adding nitrogen fertilizer is unnecessary due to the peas' ability to produce their own, phosphorus and potassium should be applied at the recommended rates. Inoculating the seeds with strain C or purchasing pre-inoculated seeds is also crucial to ensure healthy and vigorous growth.

When planting, Austrian winter peas should be broadcast at a rate of 50 lbs/acre into a well-prepared seedbed or drilled at a rate of 30 lbs/acre with a no-till drill. If broadcasting, a light disking is required to cover the seeds to a depth of approximately 1 to 2 inches. For no-till planting, it is essential to eliminate existing vegetation with glyphosate a couple of weeks before planting to minimize weed competition.

The ideal planting time for Austrian winter peas is from August to October in the Northern Hemisphere, depending on the region. Planting should occur after the hottest days of summer have passed to ensure optimal growth.

They are a great companion to various clover and cereal grain mixtures

Austrian winter peas are a great companion to various clover and cereal grain mixtures. They are a cool-season annual legume that can be successfully grown in spring and summer in cooler regions. They are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria that colonise their roots and pull nitrogen from the atmosphere. This makes them a great companion to various clover and cereal grain mixtures, as they can add nitrogen to the soil for the other plants to use.

When planting Austrian winter peas, it is important to use inoculated seeds. Inoculants convert nitrogen in the atmosphere into a usable form, promoting vigorous, healthy growth. The seeds should be planted in well-prepared soil, at a rate of 2 1/2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet, and covered with 1 to 3 inches of soil. Austrian winter peas perform well in nearly any type of well-drained soil but require consistent moisture. They are sensitive to heat and humidity and do not tolerate acidic soils.

Austrian winter peas are often planted with a mixture of seeds such as oilseed radishes or various types of clover. They can also be planted with cereal grains, such as oats or rye, to provide a complementary growth form. Austrian winter peas are a vine plant, while cereal grains have a short, dense canopy. By planting these two types of plants together, the vines of the Austrian winter peas can use the canopy of the cereal grains as a ladder to grow on. This helps to alleviate competition between the two plants and ensures that both have the space and light they need to thrive.

In addition to their agricultural benefits, Austrian winter peas also have ornamental value. They produce pink, purple, or white blooms in the spring, adding beauty to any garden or landscape. The flowers are also edible and can be used to add colour to salads or as decorations for baked goods. Overall, Austrian winter peas are a great companion to various clover and cereal grain mixtures, providing nitrogen fixation, complementary growth forms, and ornamental value.

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 nitrogen-fixing abilities. This means they have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria that colonise their roots and pull nitrogen from the atmosphere. The bacteria use the nitrogen, and then it becomes available to the plant. When used as a cover crop, this nitrogen is added to the soil for the next crop.

Austrian winter peas are easy to establish and can be planted in a well-prepared seedbed or drilled with a no-till drill. They should be planted in late summer or early autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed, and they need around 5-6 weeks of growth before the first hard frost. They grow well in a variety of soil types but prefer a neutral pH of above 6.0. They are also relatively inexpensive to use as a cover crop.

When used as a cover crop, Austrian winter peas are often planted with a mixture of other seeds, such as oilseed radishes or clover. They can also be paired with an inoculant to maximise their nitrogen-fixing capacity. This inoculant can be bought or, if you grew a cover crop of peas the previous year, you can add a few shovelfuls of soil from that bed to provide the inoculant for the new crop.

Once established, Austrian winter peas are capable of producing a lot of quality forage with high levels of crude protein. They are a good source of nutrition for both humans and livestock.

Frequently asked questions