English peas are picked when the peas in the pod are full-size. The pods are shelled and the peas are eaten — raw or cooked — without the pod. Snow peas are harvested while the peas inside the pod are immature. The entire snow pea pod is eaten, either cooked or quickly stir-fried. Like the snow pea, snap peas can be harvested when the peas are immature and eaten raw or cooked. The snap pea can also be left on the vine and harvested like "English peas."

Within the three different types of peas are three sizes of vines. Dwarf varieties grow 1-2 feet tall; semi-dwarf varieties grow 2-3 feet in height; tall varieties grow 3-6 feet or more. Tall varieties do better when trellised.

For best results, plant peas where they get full sun. The fruit and vines tolerate light frost, but the seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are 50 degrees. Water as needed, but let the top of the soil dry between irrigations. Water requirements increase during bloom and pod production.

Plant seeds 2 inches apart in double rows 3-6 inches apart ,or plant the smaller types in wide rows for large beds. Sow the seeds 1-2 inches deep. Fungicide treated seed is helpful for early plantings in cool soil, but that is not likely a problem this season. Peas in fertile garden soils do not need extra fertilizer.

For a continuous supply, plant early, midseason and late varieties, or stagger plantings every two weeks. Recommended varieties include Patriot, Lincoln, Early Frosty and Novella, which are all shell-type peas; Little Sweetie and Oregon Sugar Pod, which are snow-type peas; and Sugar Snap and Sugar Daddy Stringless, which are snap-type peas.

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Larry A. Sagers is the regional horticulturist, Utah State University Extension, at Thanksgiving Point.