Peas are easy to grow plants.
It grows well outside but you can fine-tune this plant to adapt to indoor gardening.
The most pressing question a lot of gardeners have (including myself back in the day) boils down to trellising systems.
Do Peas need a trellis? Peas need a trellis to climb, but not all varieties require one. Some types, such as Sugar snap peas, can be trained to climb a trellis, but most varieties are happy without one.
In this article, you’ll learn the different varieties of Peas, which ones need a trellising system, and what forms of trellis to choose.
Varieties of Peas: Which Ones Need a Trellising System
1. Climbing-type peas need a trellis
Garden Trellis for Climbing Plants
- Decorative and Rustproof
- Made from strong metal pipe
- Easy to assemble and use
Planting climbing-type peas on a trellis will encourage them to grow upward. The pea tendrils will wrap around anything smaller than one inch in diameter, including the trellis.
Afterward, as the peas grow taller, they will grow new branches and drag the plant down. You can train peas to climb a trellis by tying them to the trellis at a higher height.
To support the vines, climbers need a trellis. Climbing-type peas need support as they are very heavy.
They can grow up a fence, lattice, or trellis. The height of the peas depends on their variety. Nevertheless, peas are usually planted in the middle of the summer and harvested daily.
When choosing the best trellis, keep in mind the type of plants to grow on it. Climbing-type peas and pole beans need support if they want to grow to their full potential.
If you are using a trellis to grow pole beans, the best choice is a tall and sturdy structure. They need a sturdy support to climb and produce large pods.
Peas will grow without a trellis if they are planted close to each other. They will latch onto each other and grow upwards together, but without the use of a trellis, they will simply grow too close to each other, reducing their chances of withering. If they don’t have a trellis, you can plant them in a furrow at the base of the garden trellis.
Planting climbing peas needs a trellis to protect them from ground pests and rot. A pea trellis is easy to build.
You can use garden twine and bamboo, or even hula hoops. These structures can also be used for vine vegetables such as tomatoes. The best way to install a pea trellis is to follow a few basic steps.
2. Sugar snap peas do not need a trellis
If you have a space to grow sugar snap peas, you don’t need a trellis. You can use a trellis made of thin wire or fencing.
Be sure that the spacing between the posts is one inch or less. Strings, netting, or chicken wire work well. Sugar snap peas require a consistent moisture level, temperature outside, and an overall set up.
If you’re looking for a way to grow sugar snap peas without a trellis, consider using a patio rail or other support structure. Or, you can use stakes tied together with twine. You can also use wire ties to secure pea tendrils to the trellis. Make sure the peas receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Plant sugar snap peas early, midseason, and late. Sugar snap peas are not too tolerant of cold temperatures. However, they can survive in zones three to eleven of the USDA hardiness scale.
Although they will need more water, they’re perfectly fine in a container garden. Sugar snap peas are an excellent choice for container gardens because they’ll produce a large crop quickly.
In addition to being low-maintenance, sugar snap peas also require little care. However, to make them produce more, you can purchase a nitrogen-fixing inoculant.
These products are powdery and sold in packets at garden stores. Sugar snap peas are susceptible to fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that affects the lower leaves.
Tomato cages work well as a trellis
Garden Trellis for Climbing Plants
- Decorative and Rustproof
- Made from strong metal pipe
- Easy to assemble and use
Tomato cages are inexpensive and can serve as a trellis for pear or other climbing vines. They can be made from pallet wood or heavy-duty garden twine.
Using a tomato cage as a trellis is a great way to support rows of peas, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Tomato cages are also ideal for growing other types of vegetables such as cucumbers and melons.
Tomato cages are also convenient because they’re easy to assemble and can be disassembled when not in use.
For extra support, you can use a longer piece of PVC pipe as a stake. It’s sturdy and effective, and the tomatoes will be protected against windy conditions. They can also be stored in a garage or shed — if you need to.
Plant cages are often designed for tomatoes, but many other plants benefit from their use, too. In fact, plant cages are not just for tomatoes.
Bush beans, leafy greens, and many other plants can benefit from support with tomato cages.
However, they won’t need to support vining plants. So, consider other plants you grow in your yard.
There’s no need to buy a separate trellis for your plants if you don’t plan on using them for anything else.
During the coolest season, English peas will begin to grow. The plants mature when temperatures remain cool or are below freezing. Plant them in the spring in cooler climates, and in autumn or winter in warmer regions.
Peas need a bit of sunshine to grow their pods and flowers. Moreover, as temperatures rise, they will begin to fade. So, if you want to extend their growing season, plant them in a shady location.
Bamboo trellis systems work well with beans
Bamboo trellis systems are ideal for a variety of climbing plants. Pole beans and cucumbers twine around bamboo posts and work well on a wire mesh or wooden posts and twine trellises.
Plants that require a sturdy trellis should be planted before the trellis is erected, as waiting too long to plant can cause damage and a reduced harvest.
For best results, plant pole beans and cucumbers in separate rows and then tie them to the trellis with twine.
Beans do not need a lot of sunlight to germinate. If you plant them in a place with little sunlight, the beans can become limp and hard to pick.
To ensure the best yield, plant them at least eight to 10 hours of sunlight per day. You should also start trellising them a week before spring, to ensure a plentiful harvest. Bamboo trellis systems are inexpensive and easy to build.
Bush and pole types of beans need a trellis to grow properly. Pole beans need a tall pole to support their growth, while bush beans do not.
Bush beans grow compactly and need no trellis to support their growth. Unlike pole beans, bush beans grow well on shorter, smaller poles, making them the ideal choice for those with limited space. While both types of beans require a trellis, bush ones don’t.
When choosing a trellis system for your garden, choose the type of vegetables you plan to grow.
Pole beans are notorious climbers and require additional support, while indeterminate tomatoes need to be supported as they grow.
Choose the best type for the type of crop you plan to grow and you will be on your way to a beautiful garden. A little bit of planning and research will go a long way to ensure success.
Wooden tomato cages work well as a trellis
A wooden tomato cage can double as a trellis for peat pods. Using hinges at the top, you can adjust the height to any level.
Once pea pods are ready to pick, simply cover the arch with shade cloth to keep them from scorching. These trellises can be tucked away easily in a garage or shed.
Tomatoes are climbing vines, so a wood tomato cage is the perfect trellis for them. The tomato cage only has three poles, so you can add more lines of string to keep peas on top.
The strings can be wrapped up and down the structure but don’t cut them! The string will stay intact. You can even add peas to pea cages made of scrap wood.
A tomato cage is an easy way to support your row of tomatoes. You can cut pieces of wood into a shape that suits your plants’ needs.
Takeaway
If you don’t have a lot of wood, consider using a piece of heavy PVC pipe as a stake.
This stake will keep the tomato cage firmly in place and prevent it from blowing away.
These simple, inexpensive, and sturdy tomato cages can serve as a trellis for peas. These cages are easy to build, don’t cost much, and are great for large-scale growing.
They are simple to build and will hold several rows of plants.
However, be sure to remove all foliage as soon as the plants start to grow. You can also use concrete reinforcing wire for these cages if you want to grow in larger quantities.