Planting Austrian Winter Peas: A Step-By-Step Guide

Austrian winter peas are a great option for gardeners and farmers alike. They are a cool-season legume, related to the familiar garden pea, and are hardy in USDA zones 6 and above. They can be planted in early spring or autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed, and require well-prepared, well-drained soil. The seeds should be covered with 1 to 3 inches of soil and kept moist, as they don't fare well in arid climates. Austrian winter peas are a nitrogen-fixing plant, making them a valuable cover crop, and they also attract wildlife and pollinators with their beautiful, edible flowers.

Austrian winter peas are a good source of nitrogen

Austrian winter peas are a great source of nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and development. They are a legume, and like all legumes, they have a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobia bacteria. This relationship allows them to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a form that plants can use.

The Rhizobia bacteria pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into small white sacs called nodules, which are found in the roots of the legume plants. When the legumes are cut down, these nodules release the stored nitrogen into the soil, making it available to other plants. This process is known as "fixing" nitrogen.

Austrian winter peas are often used as a cover crop to improve soil fertility and provide a nutrient boost to the next round of crops. They are a good choice for cover cropping because they grow quickly, have abundant biomass, and can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F for brief periods. In addition, they can be planted in the fall and left to overwinter, or planted in early spring to grow during spring and summer.

When used as a cover crop, Austrian winter peas should be planted at a rate of 2 ½ to 3 pounds for every 1,000 square feet of soil. The seeds should be covered with 1 to 3 inches of soil and watered thoroughly. Austrian winter peas need consistent moisture and do not do well in arid climates with less than 20 inches of rainfall per year.

In addition to their nitrogen-fixing capabilities, Austrian winter peas also have ornamental value and can be used to attract wildlife such as deer, quail, doves, and wild turkeys. The pea pods are edible and can be used in salads, stir-fries, or dried and made into split pea soup. The leaves are also edible and taste like sweet sugar snap peas. Overall, Austrian winter peas are a great choice for gardeners looking to improve their soil health and fertility while also enjoying the benefits of a tasty and nutritious harvest.

They are cold hardy but need protection in very cold climates

Austrian winter peas are a cold-hardy cover crop that can be grown in USDA zones 6 and above. They frequently survive temperatures as low as 0-10°F (-12.2 to -17.7°C) for short periods without protection. However, in very cold climates, they may need additional protection to survive.

In zones with severe winters, it is recommended to plant Austrian winter peas in very early spring. In less extreme climates, they can be planted in late summer or early fall, allowing them to grow about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) before freezing temperatures arrive. Providing a row cover, frost blanket, or low tunnel can help protect the plants from extended periods of below-zero weather. Interplanting them with winter rye can also provide shelter from wind and cold.

Austrian winter peas are sensitive to frost heaving, which can damage their shallow roots. To minimize this risk, they can be interseeded with longer-rooted winter grains like wheat, oats, or rye. While this may make it more challenging to terminate the cover crop in the spring, it will enhance the plants' cold tolerance.

In summary, while Austrian winter peas are cold-hardy, they may require additional protection in very cold climates. This can be achieved through row covers, frost blankets, low tunnels, or interplanting with winter rye. Additionally, interseeding with longer-rooted winter grains can improve their cold tolerance, but it is important to consider the potential challenges of terminating the cover crop in the spring.

Peas should be planted in well-prepared soil

Austrian winter peas are a cool-season legume and a great option for a cover crop. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 6 and above and can be planted in well-prepared soil in autumn, after the hottest days of summer have passed.

When planting Austrian winter peas, it is important to ensure that the soil is well-prepared. This involves creating a well-drained bed that is hoed to a depth of 2 inches. The seeds should then be spread evenly and covered with 1 to 3 inches of soil. It is recommended to use inoculated seeds or to inoculate your own seeds to promote healthy growth and increase nitrogen levels in the soil.

Austrian winter peas require consistent moisture and do not thrive in arid climates with less than 20 inches of rainfall per year. They should be planted 4-6 weeks before the first hard frost and can be sown with winter rye to improve their cold tolerance.

Overall, Austrian winter peas are a great option for a cover crop, providing nitrogen fixation, improving soil health, and attracting beneficial insects and wildlife.

They are a tasty addition to salads and stir-fries

Austrian winter peas are a tasty addition to salads and stir-fries. The young shoots can be snipped off and added to these dishes. They have a nice pea-like flavour and will continue to grow in much of the south through the winter. The older leaves and stems are likely to be too fibrous to eat raw, but the tender new growth shoots are delicious. They have a velvety-lettuce texture and a sweet pea taste.

Austrian winter pea pods are edible too, but they are not as good as sweet pea varieties. It is best to eat the pods young before they get fibrous and starchy. The shoots are also tasty in omelettes.

The pea shoots should be harvested when they are 6 to 8 inches high. It is important to note that you should not harvest the shoots when they are covered in frost because it causes the plant cells to shatter. The greens will then wilt and discolour before they reach the table. They can still be eaten cooked but are not pleasant in a salad.

Austrian winter peas are also a good option for container gardening. They do well in containers, even if you crowd them. You can cut them into a pleasing "chia" look by giving them a symmetrical haircut.

Austrian winter peas are a great mulch

Austrian winter peas are also a good option if you are looking for a cover crop to protect your soil through the winter. They prevent erosion and provide habitat for beneficial insects and fungi. They also add nutrients and organic matter and suppress weeds.

Austrian winter peas are nitrogen-fixers, which means they have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria. The bacteria colonize the plant's roots and pull nitrogen from the atmosphere. The bacteria use the nitrogen, and then it becomes available to the plant. This nitrogen is then added to the soil for your next crop to use.

Austrian winter peas are also a tasty treat for humans and livestock. The young shoots can be added to salads and stir-fries, while the flowers can be used to add colour to salads or as natural decorations for baked goods.

Frequently asked questions