HOW TO GROW THE ASPARAGUS PEA

How to grow the asparagus pea

The asparagus pea - Lotus purpureus is a little known half-hardy annual that is grown for its edible seed pods. It forms a loose bush approximately 12 inches high and bears small, sweet-pea like, scarlet flowers. Once pollinated these are followed by cylindrical green seed pods with four wavy-margined flanges or wings. The pods can reach a length of about 3 inches, but for cooking purposes their flavour is at their best when they are half this length and left whole.

Native to Papua New Guinea, it is considered to be a gourmet vegetable and grows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries with high rainfall. However there are also varieties that can be grown in the cooler areas of Europe and USA.

Asparagus pea seedling

The asparagus pea will thrive in any fertile, well-drained soil that has been enriched with a dressing of well-rotted farm manure or garden compost in the top spit. Ty to provide a position that receives as much sun as possible throughout the day.

Sow asparagus pea seed directly outside in April or May, setting them 4 inches apart in rows every 18 inches. Each seed should be about 1/3 of an inch deep. Germination will usually occur between 7-14 days. Water in and provide appropriate support such as twiggy pea sticks - especially in exposed regions. Avoid watering too much when the plants are young but once they have produced their first pods they can be watered regularly during the rest of the growing season.

If you want to make the most of the growing season or live in an area with a short growing season then you can sow asparagus pea seeds earlier in March. Using 3 inch pots, fill with a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting' and sow at a rate of 1 seed per pot under glass in pots in early spring or outdoors in late spring. Place the pots in a warm bright position at approximately. 19-21C.

Once the plants have become established in their pots, and the threat of late frosts have passed, harden them off outside in a cold frame before planting out nt their final position.

Pick pods regularly while young and tender.

For related articles click onto the following links:
HOW TO GROW ASPARAGUS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW THE ASPARAGUS PEA
HOW TO GROW ASPARAGUS PEAS FROM SEED