Austrian Snow Peas: How Long Do Seeds Stay Viable?

Austrian winter peas are a highly nutritious crop with a protein level of 20-30%. They are a vine-like plant with a growth of 3-5 feet in fertile soil. The seeds are typically planted in autumn, and they need consistent moisture. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above. The vines may do well in colder climates if they are protected by snow cover. If the plant's crown near the soil doesn't freeze and die, it will re-sprout.

Austrian winter peas are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above

Austrian winter peas need consistent moisture and don’t do well in arid climates where rainfall is less than 20 inches (51 cm) per year. Seeds are typically planted in autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed. The vines may do well in colder climates if they are protected by a good snow cover; otherwise, they are likely to freeze. If this is a concern, you can plant Austrian winter peas as an annual in early spring.

If no-till planting, be sure to kill the existing vegetation with glyphosate a couple of weeks prior to planting to eliminate weed competition and create a clean field prior to drilling seed. With regard to planting dates, winter peas should be planted in September through October in the South. In northern states, it should be planted in August, or in April for a spring/summer planting. Avoid planting winter pea in pure stands. Instead, plant them in a mixture with other preferred species to extend the life of the food plot and minimise the risk of crop failure, overgrazing, and other problems.

In very cold areas, Austrian winter peas may not grow until early spring, though if started early enough in the fall they usually manage to overwinter under the snow to get a head start on the weather warming up. As long as the plant’s crown near the soil doesn’t freeze and die, it will re-sprout. The closer the plant’s tissues are to the residual warmth of the soil, the less likely it is to freeze solidly.

Austrian winter peas are best planted in autumn

Austrian winter peas have a vine-like growth that can reach lengths of 3 to 5 feet when planted in fertile soil. They are highly nutritious and extremely digestible to deer, with a protein level between 20 and 30 per cent. They are also a great plant to seed en masse near the kitchen door so that you can quickly come out and give them a haircut for your evening dinner salad.

Austrian winter peas need consistent moisture and don't do well in arid climates where rainfall is less than 20 inches per year. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above. If you live in a colder climate, protect the vines with a good snow cover, otherwise, they are likely to freeze. If this is a concern, you can plant Austrian winter peas as an annual in early spring.

Austrian winter peas need consistent moisture and don't do well in arid climates

Austrian winter peas are highly nutritious and digestible to deer. They have a protein level of between 20 and 30 per cent, and the seeds, stems and leaves are browsed by deer. The peas have a vine-like growth that can reach lengths of 3 to 5 feet when planted in fertile soil. They have moderate drought tolerance but have good winter hardiness. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above.

Austrian winter peas have shallow roots, which is good because it means they don't deplete deep soil moisture as much as some cover crops. But the shallow roots are also bad because frost heaving, which thrusts soil upward when ice forms toward the surface, can damage the plant roots if winter temperatures fluctuate too much. Some cover crop manuals suggest interseeding winter peas with longer-rooted winter grains (such as wheat, oats, or rye). Adding the grain will help reduce damage by minimising frost heaving during freeze/thaw cycles, but it will mean the cover crop may not be as easy to kill in spring as a peas-only planting.

Austrian winter peas should be planted in September through October in the South. In the northern states, they should be planted in August, or in April for a spring/summer planting. They are typically planted in autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed. The vines may do well in colder climates if they are protected by a good snow cover; otherwise, they are likely to freeze. If this is a concern, you can plant Austrian winter peas as an annual in early spring.

Austrian winter peas are vine-like and can reach 3 to 5 feet in fertile soil

Austrian winter peas should be planted in September through October in the South, and in August in the northern states. In northern states, they can also be planted in April for a spring/summer planting. They are a great plant to seed en masse near the kitchen door so you can quickly go out and pick them for a salad. They can also be used to hide winter views of utility boxes, trash or compost bin storage, bare garden trellises, or chain-link fences.

Austrian winter peas are a good source of protein, with levels between 20 and 30%

Austrian winter peas should be planted in September through October in the South. In northern states, they should be planted in August, or in April for a spring/summer planting. If you live in a very cold area, they may not grow until early spring, but if planted early enough in the autumn, they can usually manage to overwinter under the snow. As long as the plant’s crown near the soil doesn’t freeze and die, it will re-sprout. The closer the plant’s tissues are to the residual warmth of the soil, the less likely it is to freeze solidly.

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