17 Best Companion Plants for Garden Peas (and Those to Avoid)

The best companion plants for peas can help your peas grow healthier, keep pests at bay, and make the best use of your garden space. Companion planting is a technique where different plant species are planted close to each other to help each other thrive. This may mean choosing plants who will not compete with each other for nutrients. Strategic companion planting is especially important in small gardens or wherever careful space planning is needed.

Peas grow well with other legumes like beans and lentils because they increase the availability of nitrogen in the soil. A great many vegetables' growth is enhanced if they have peas and other legumes as close neighbors. 

Best Companion Plants for Peas

For peas, the best companion plants are the ones that share their care requirements, as well as help them grow better and use your gardening space more efficiently. Harvest time does not need to be the same. These can be other vegetables, herbs, or even flowers. Options for companion plants include:

• Basil: This herb can repel thrips, a common pest for peas.
• Beans: Beans will increase nitrogen in the soil for the peas, and they have similar light and irrigation needs.
• Beets: Beets help loosen the soil around the base of the peas resulting in more water absorption and better airflow.
• Carrots: Carrots are another plant that will increase ventilation around the plant because they aerate the soil.
• Celery: Peas and celery do well together because they have similar needs and nitrogen-fixing capabilities.
• Corn: Corn acts as a shade cover for peas planted late in the summer as well as support for then to climb.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers feed off the nitrogen provided by peas and, in turn, require the same growing conditions.
• Early potatoes: Potatoes repel Mexican bean beetles, which peas and other legumes are vulnerable to.
• Eggplant: To use your garden space efficiently, trellis peas behind eggplant and watch them thrive. Eggplant feeds heavily on the nitrogen your pea plants add to the soil.
• Lettuce: Lettuce plants can fill the space beneath climbing pea [plants and make for a more productive garden.
• Marigolds: A popular flower that is pretty and deters pests, these are helpful in any garden.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums' strong scent repels various pests. They also act as trap crops that lure others, such as aphids and flea beetles, away from peas.
• Peppers: Peppers and peas need very similar growing conditions and provide atmospheric nitrogen for each other to thrive.
• Radishes: Radish plants make good pest deterrents in any garden.
• Spinach: Spinach leaves provide shelter over the soil beneath climbing peas and fill in where weeks may grow instead.
• Tomatoes: Tomato plants peak in warmer months so by the time they need more room, it's time to harvest your peas. This makes for efficient use of your garden space.
• Turnips: Turnips loosen and aerate the soil and make especially good companions in cooler temperatures.
  

Worst Companion Plants for Peas

Plants in the allium (onion and garlic) family are not good partners for peas because they tend to stunt the growth of peas. Avoid planting these plants near peas:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Shallots
• Scallions
• Chives

Growing Peas

Peas are annual vegetable plants and are planted anew each year. As cool-weather plants, getting them in the ground around spring is best. Plant pea seeds outdoors by St. Patrick's Day in Zone 5 and higher. Elsewhere plant them about a month before the last predicted frost. The seed packet will provide additional information on germination time, depending on soil temperature.

For best production, peas prefer fertile, well-draining soil and full sun. Although they're not too particular, it's best to avoid heavy clay soil. Start them as seeds directly in the garden bed and deep water weekly to avoid drying out and diminishing pod production.

Harvesting Peas

The key to knowing when the peas are ready for harvesting is in the pod. If it is bright green and round with a bit of a shine, it is ripe. A dull green color means that you have missed the pod's prime. Pea plants are relatively fragile, so be careful when you snap off the pods. Harvesting frequently encourages production.

Storing Peas

As with most vegetables, peas from the garden are best when they are freshly picked. If you cannot use them right away, they will keep in the refrigerator for about five days. If you want to store them longer, freezing is the best option. Peas can also be dried for long-term storage. They lose some flavor but still can make a tasty addition to winter soups and stews.