When To Plant Austrian Winter Peas For Best Results

Austrian Winter Peas are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen. They are best planted in late August through to mid-late September, after the hottest days of the year are normally over. It is recommended to plant them 5-6 weeks before a killing freeze, and the longer they grow, the greater the benefit. If you are planting them for soil building, you may be able to plant them as late as July, but they will be too small for harvesting or grazing.

Austrian winter peas are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen

It is recommended that you plant Austrian winter peas 5-6 weeks before a killing freeze. The longer they grow, the greater the benefit. If you are in a zone 5a region, with an earliest frost date of 20 September, you can expect a hard frost in late October or early November. This means that you should plant your Austrian winter peas in early to mid-September.

Austrian winter peas can be planted after wheat or other summer annuals. They can also be planted as part of a mix with oats, after wheat is harvested. However, it is too late to plant them if you want to graze them, as they will be too small.

To get the most out of your Austrian winter peas, be sure to inoculate them each year you plant them.

They can be planted annually

Austrian winter peas are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen. They can be planted annually, but it is recommended to plant them in late August through mid-late September. This is because they like cooler temperatures, but the hottest days of summer should be over.

A good rule of thumb is to plant the peas 5-6 weeks before a killing freeze. The longer they grow, the greater the benefit. However, if you want to graze them, it may be too late to plant them in the fall. They will be too small for harvesting or grazing, but they can still work for soil building.

Austrian winter peas have better cold tolerance than Canadian Field Peas and can be planted after wheat or other summer annuals. If you are in a zone with an early frost date, you may want to consider drilling them with a cover crop within a week or two of planting. This will help to hold the soil and add nitrogen.

Planting in late August through mid-late September is recommended

Planting Austrian winter peas in late August through mid-late September is recommended. They are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen and have better cold tolerance than Canadian Field Peas. They grow well when planted after wheat or other summer annuals, and they like cooler temperatures. However, it is important to inoculate the peas each year you plant them.

The best time to plant Austrian winter peas depends on where you live. A good rule of thumb is to plant the peas 5-6 weeks before a killing freeze. The longer they grow, the greater the benefit. For example, someone in zone 5a with an earliest frost date of 9/20 might expect a "hard" frost in late October/early November, so they would need to plant earlier than someone in a warmer climate.

If you are planting Austrian winter peas for soil building, you might still have time to get a decent cover in late August or September. However, if you want to harvest or graze them, it is likely too late as they would be too small.

Peas should be inoculated each year they are planted

Austrian winter peas are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen. They have better cold tolerance than Canadian Field Peas and grow well when planted after wheat or other summer annuals. It is recommended to plant them annually in late August through mid-late September, after the hottest days are normally past.

There are several benefits to inoculating peas. Firstly, it enhances the plant's ability to utilise nitrogen, promoting healthier growth and higher yields. Secondly, inoculation helps to improve the plant's resistance to diseases and environmental stresses. Additionally, inoculated peas have a better chance of surviving in challenging soil conditions, such as soils with low nutrient levels or poor structure.

It is important to note that not all peas require inoculation every year. The need for inoculation depends on the specific variety of pea, the soil type, and the presence of certain bacteria in the soil. However, for Austrian winter peas, annual inoculation is recommended to ensure optimal plant health and productivity.

When inoculating peas, it is crucial to use the correct type of inoculant for the specific pea variety. Inoculants are typically available in powder or liquid form and should be applied at planting time, following the manufacturer's instructions. Proper storage and handling of the inoculant are also essential to ensure its effectiveness.

Austrian winter peas have better cold tolerance than Canadian Field Peas

Austrian winter peas are a good cover crop for producing nitrogen. They have better cold tolerance than Canadian Field Peas, but still grow well when planted after wheat or other summer annuals. It's best to plant them in August, after the hottest days are normally past. In Zone 5, you should plant them from mid-August to mid-September.

Austrian winter peas can withstand temperatures as low as 10° F with only minor injury, but they don't overwinter consistently in areas colder than moderate Hardiness Zone 6. They are sensitive to heat, particularly in combination with humidity. They tend to languish in mid-summer even in the cool Northeast, where average summers have fewer than 30 days exceeding 86° F. Temperatures greater than 90° F cause flowers to blast and reduce seed yield.

Austrian winter pea plants may lose some of their top growth during freezes, but can continue growing after temperatures fall as low as 10° F. Their shallow roots and succulent stems limit their overwintering ability, however. Sustained cold below 18° F without snow cover usually kills Austrian winter pea.

Winter pea grows well virtually anywhere within the continental United States and parts of Canada. It grows well in a variety of soil types, but best production occurs in light-textured loamy soils. Winter pea is somewhat sensitive to soil pH, thus, the pH needs to be maintained above 6.0, which already needs to be the goal for any food plot to maximize nutritional quality and attraction.

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