Enjoy a harvest of pea tendrils and tender shoots before garden peas mature.
All parts of the pea plant are edible, including the immature peas that may have already formed.
Pea shoots and tendrils are not the same although the terms are often used interchangeably.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
The new, tender growth of young pea seedlings is called pea shoots.
Tendrils are the curling, clinging parts that the pea plant uses to hold onto supports.
The best peas for pea shoots aresugar peassuch as Oregon Sugar Pod.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
It is much better to dedicate pea plants solely to harvesting pea shoots and tendrils.
In seed catalogs, you might find pea shoots listedunder microgreens.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Plant the seeds about 14 to 12 inch deep.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
They can be packed, leaving about the size of a pea to 14 inch between seeds.
Space rows at least 7 inches apart.
Pea shoots and tendrils require no support.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
For indoor growing, if there is not sufficient natural light, use grow lights.
To grow them indoors or in containers, use a high-quality potting mix.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Misting works best, as the tender plants are easily knocked over by a strong flow of water.
For containers,bottom wateringalso works well.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing is not required.
Harvesting
There are two ways to harvest pea shoots and tendrils.
Remove only the top growth including one set of leaves.
This will be your first, small harvest; the pea shoots will regrow after cutting.
Continue cutting off the top to encourage the plants to branch out and produce more shoots and tendrils.
Eventually, you will notice the shoots are not as tender as they were earlier in the season.
This means it’s time to stop harvesting.
How to Grow Pea Shoots and Tendrils in Pots
Pea shoots and tendrils grow well in pots.
Use containers that are large but shallow, about 2 to 3 inches deep is sufficient.
Fill them with 1 to 1.5 inches of potting mix.
Cell flats, window boxes, and even trays with drainage holes work well.
Fill them with well-draining potting mix.
Keep in mind that soil in containers dry out faster than garden soil so adjust the watering accordingly.
Propagating Pea Shoots and Tendrils
Pea shoots and tendrils are grown from seed.
In flats densely filled with peas for shoots, mold may occur.
Pinch off larger stems, as they are sometimes tough.
They are often tossed into salads, sandwiches, or on top of soups.
Or add a few curls as an edible garnish to any dish.
Sprouts are grown in water, not in soil or potting soil.
Pea sprouts are ready in a few day and eaten whole.
It is not possible to grow pea shoots from frozen peas.
The freezing temperatures have destroyed their ability to germinate.
Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of California.
