How to Grow Pea Microgreens

Pea microgreens grow indoors year-round, independent of any season. Keep the room around 65 to 75F and, after germination, set the tray on a bright windowsill or under a grow light. Because a tray takes only a couple of weeks, sowing a fresh batch on rotation gives you a steady supply of sweet pea shoots all year.

Soak the pea seeds in cool water for 8 to 12 hours first: this large seed needs it. Fill a shallow tray with an inch or two of moistened seed-starting mix or coconut coir, then sow the soaked peas densely and evenly across the surface with minimal overlap. Mist well, then cover the tray or set it in the dark for 2 to 4 days to germinate. Once sprouted, uncover and move the tray into bright light. Peas can also be jar-sprouted for quick pea sprouts, but a tray produces taller, leafier shoots.

Once the peas germinate, water from the bottom to keep the foliage dry and reduce mold risk. Give the shoots 10 to 16 hours of bright light a day, keep good airflow, and hold the temperature around 65 to 75F. Keep the medium consistently moist but never soggy, and keep trays and tools clean so the fast-growing shoots stay healthy.

Pea shoots are usually ready in about 8 to 14 days, once they reach 2 to 4 inches and the first tendrils appear. Cut with clean scissors just above the soil. Peas are one of the few microgreens that can give a small second cut: if you harvest above the lowest node, the shoots may regrow for a modest second harvest before yields drop. Store the greens dry and unwashed in an airtight container in the fridge, and rinse just before use.

Pea shoots taste sweet and fresh, like the first bite of a spring garden pea. Pile them into salads and grain bowls, layer them into sandwiches and wraps, toss them into stir-fries at the last second, or use them as a crisp garnish. Like all microgreens they are nutrient-dense, delivering concentrated vitamins and minerals in tender, crunchy shoots.

• Mold vs. root hairs: fine white fuzz on the stems near the seed is normal root hairs and disappears when misted. Slimy or cobweb-like growth across the soil with a sour smell is mold; improve airflow, water less, and sow thinner.
• Damping off: shoots collapse at the base in cool, damp, still air. Use clean trays, good airflow, and avoid overwatering.
• Leggy or pale shoots: too little light. Give 10 to 16 hours of bright light or a grow light after uncovering.
• Uneven germination: often from skipping or shortening the soak, or uneven moisture. Soak 8 to 12 hours and keep the surface evenly damp.
• Seed hulls stuck on shoots: mist and gently rub, or use a light weighted blackout cover so hulls drop off.