Spring

Watch for powdery mildew and pea aphids; they’re common on pea foliage, especially when plants are crowded. For mildew, improve airflow by spacing plants and removing badly infected leaves, then spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate as labeled. For aphids, knock them off with a strong water jet and apply insecticidal soap if numbers are increasing—avoid heavy nitrogen feeds that make aphids more successful.

Harvest most pea pods when they are fully formed but still tender: the peas inside should be plump and the pods should snap easily, usually about 60 days from sowing depending on conditions. Pick every 1–2 days once plants start producing, because leaving mature pods on the plant slows new pod formation. If pods look dull and the peas bulge hard, they’re past peak sweetness for fresh eating.