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Home » Home and Garden » How to Save Pea Seeds

How to Save Pea Seeds

May 8, 2022 by Kimberly Killebrew · No Comments

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So you’ve grown some beautiful, healthy pea plants and you want to save some of the seeds to grow next year?  It’s super easy to do!  This tutorial will show you how to harvest pea seeds, how to save pea seeds, and how to store pea seeds for future plantings.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

One thing to remember when you’re wanting to save pea seeds to plant the following year is to not shortchange yourself on an abundant harvest.  I’ve done this to myself on more than one occasion:  Wanting to make sure I had enough seeds to save I would refrain from picking too many and thus miss out enjoying the fresh peas in the meantime.  Remember that pea plants are prolific and will continue producing as long as you’re harvesting.  So go ahead and leave a few peas on the vines towards the end of the growing season, but don’t be afraid to harvest and enjoy those fresh peas now.

Choose Open-Pollinated Pea Varieties 

When saving vegetables seeds you need to choose open-pollinated varieties instead of hybrids as open-pollinated will produce plants and fruit similar to the parent plant.  Open-pollinated varieties may also be “heirloom” varieties.

When choosing a plant to save seeds from, choose your healthiest, most vigorous plant.  You want to preserve the best genetics  from which to propagate future plants.

pea plant with blossoms

When to Harvest Peas for Seed Saving

Leave a few pods on the vines to mature until they have turned yellow or brown and are dried out.  The peas should be very hard inside of the pods and often when you shake a pod you will hear the seeds rattle inside, a sure sign that your peas are fully matured and ready to harvest for seed saving.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

The color of the seeds will vary depending on the variety of pea but will range from tan, yellow, brown and light green.

Note, the pods don’t have to be completely yellowed and dried to harvest them.  If the weather doesn’t permit you waiting any longer (i.e., rainy season has set in), it’s okay to harvest them if some are still a little green.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

How to Harvest Pea Seeds for Seed Saving

Once the pods are sufficiently dried out it’s time to collect the seeds.  Simply remove the pods and break them open to reveal and remove the seeds.  Don’t let the seeds remain in the pods for too long or they may become moldy, especially if the pods are still a little damp.

Spread the seeds out on a baking tray or similar and let them dry for a few days or up to a couple of weeks to ensure they are fully dried and completely hard.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

How to Store Pea Seeds for Future Plantings

Once your pea seeds are fully dried and hard you have several options for storing them:  Place them in a glass jar, plastic container, ziplock bag or envelope.  Whichever container you choose it is vital that the seeds be kept dry.  I use and strongly encourage using silica moisture absorbers.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

Store your seed packets in a cool, dry place.

Properly stored the pea seeds will remain viable for at least three years.

how to save pea seeds for next year heirloom open pollinated gardening

For more seed-saving tips check out our tutorials on:

  • How to Save Kale Seeds
  • How to Save Asparagus Seeds
  • How to Save Tomato Seeds
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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