Micro Farm LabMicrogreens
Pea Shoots
Pisum sativum
Pea shoots are sweet, tender, and one of the favorites among kids. They provide 5.4 g of protein per 100 g, plus vitamin C and K.
- Harvest
- Harvest: 8–12 days
- Temperature
- Temperature: 59–72 °F (15–22 °C)
- Soak
- Soak: 8–12 h
- Blackout
- Blackout: 4–5 days
- Difficulty
- Difficulty: Easy
Quick step-by-step
Soak the seed
Hydrate the seed for 8 to 12 hours before sowing.
Prepare the tray
Use a 20×40 cm (8×16 in) tray with 4–5 cm (1.6–2 in) of growing medium.
Sow and start blackout
Spread the soaked seed and cover the tray for 4 to 5 days.
Rotate the tray daily
With 12 to 14 hours of indirect light at 15–22 °C (59–72 °F), rotate the tray daily since the shoots bend toward the light.
Bottom-water
Water from the base and avoid wetting the foliage.
Harvest before the leaf opens
Cut while the shoots are upright, before the true leaf fully opens.
Common mistakes
Growing it in hot weather
Above 25 °C (77 °F) they deteriorate fast: hollow stems and bitter flavor.
Skipping the daily rotation
Without rotating the tray, the shoots grow crooked toward the light source.
Harvesting off-schedule
Outside the right window they lose their texture.
