Pea Shoot Microgreen Seeds

Pea Shoot microgreens produce substantial leafy green shoots with crisp stems and a fresh, mildly sweet garden-pea flavour. This crop is grown primarily for tender leafy shoots rather than pronounced curling tendrils.

What You Need

• Pea Shoot Microgreen Seeds
• A 25 × 50cm tray with drainage holes
• A solid lower tray for bottom watering
• Coco coir, quality soil-based microgreen mix or another supportive growing medium
• A clean soaking container
• Clean drinking-quality water
• A second tray for covered germination
• Bright natural light or suitable grow lights
• Clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife

Seed Rate

For a standard 25 × 50cm microgreen tray, use approximately:

240–280g dry pea seed per tray

Measure the seed before soaking.

Peas are large seeds and require considerably more seed by weight than small-seeded microgreens.

Spread the soaked peas into a dense, nearly continuous layer without creating deep piles.

Pre-Soak

Pre-soak for approximately:

6–8 hours

1. Measure the required dry seed.
2. Rinse thoroughly with clean drinking-quality water.
3. Place the peas in a large clean container.
4. Cover generously with cool water.
5. Soak for approximately 6–8 hours.
6. Drain thoroughly before sowing.

Peas absorb considerable water and expand significantly during soaking, so use a container with plenty of spare capacity.

Prepare the Growing Medium

Pea shoots develop vigorous roots and benefit from a supportive growing medium.

Suitable options include:

• coco coir;
• fine seed-raising mix;
• quality soil-based microgreen mix;
• fine propagation mix; or
• another supportive, well-drained growing medium.

Add approximately:

2–4cm of growing medium

Level the surface and moisten thoroughly before sowing.

The medium should be evenly moist without being waterlogged.

Sow the Peas

1. Drain the soaked peas thoroughly.
2. Spread them evenly across the growing surface.
3. Aim for a dense, nearly continuous layer.
4. Avoid deep piles of overlapping seed.
5. Press the peas firmly against the growing medium.
6. Mist lightly if required.
7. Apply a light surface covering of fine medium or vermiculite if preferred.
8. Place another tray directly on top during early establishment.

Firm seed-to-medium contact helps the large seeds root effectively.

Covered Germination

Keep the tray covered for approximately:

3–5 days

Peas benefit from light-to-moderate pressure during early germination.

Use a second tray with modest, evenly distributed weight if required.

As the roots establish and shoots begin pushing strongly upward, reduce or remove the pressure rather than continuing to compress established growth.

For more information, see Microgreen Blackout Explained.

Germination

Expect germination in approximately:

2–4 days

Roots normally develop first, followed by pale shoots.

Maintain moisture without keeping the pea seed continually saturated.

The current Maple pea seed lot has a lower germination percentage than some pea lots, so some ungerminated seed may be present. Do not attempt to compensate by adding excessive water.

Temperature

Aim for approximately:

15–22°C

Pea shoots perform well under cool to moderate conditions.

Avoid excessive warmth combined with high humidity around the dense seed layer.

Light

Once the shoots are firmly rooted:

1. Remove the germination tray or blackout cover.
2. Move the crop into bright indirect natural light or beneath suitable grow lights.
3. Maintain good airflow.
4. Rotate the tray if required for even growth.

The pale emerging shoots should quickly become fresh green.

This crop should develop primarily as leafy pea shoots. Some tendrils may naturally appear, but there is no need to extend the crop simply to encourage tendril development.

Watering

Once roots establish, bottom watering is preferable.

For detailed guidance, see How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.

When bottom watering:

• keep the growing medium consistently moist;
• avoid permanent saturation;
• do not leave standing water beneath the tray;
• minimise repeatedly wetting the foliage;
• monitor moisture regularly because mature pea shoots use substantial water; and
• maintain good airflow.

Tips for Best Results

• Use approximately 240–280g per 25 × 50cm tray.
• Measure seed before soaking.
• Pre-soak for approximately 6–8 hours.
• Drain thoroughly.
• Sow in a dense, even layer.
• Press the peas firmly against the growing medium.
• Use light-to-moderate pressure during establishment.
• Keep covered for approximately 3–5 days.
• Expect germination in approximately 2–4 days.
• Maintain approximately 15–22°C.
• Provide bright light once established.
• Maintain good airflow.
• Bottom water once rooted.
• Harvest while stems remain crisp and leafy.
• Harvest at approximately 10–14 days.

Leafy Pea Shoots vs Pea Tendrils

This pea is grown primarily for:

• crisp stems;
• tender green leaves;
• substantial shoot growth; and
• fresh garden-pea flavour.

It is not intended primarily for producing long, pronounced curling tendrils.

For a crop specifically grown longer to encourage tendril development, see Pea Tendril Microgreen Seeds.

Seed-to-Medium Contact

Large soaked peas benefit from firm contact with the growing medium.

Pressing the peas evenly into the tray during early establishment helps:

• improve moisture access;
• anchor developing roots;
• reduce movement of large seed; and
• produce more consistent shoot growth.

Do Not Overwater

Peas are heavily hydrated during soaking.

Slow or incomplete germination should not automatically be treated as a lack of water.

Excessive moisture around ungerminated peas can contribute to:

• softening;
• seed deterioration;
• mould growth; and
• unpleasant odours.

Maintain a moist growing medium without keeping the seed layer permanently saturated.

Root Hairs vs Mould

Pea roots develop quickly and can produce fine white root hairs.

Healthy root hairs generally:

• grow directly from individual roots;
• appear relatively evenly;
• become more visible as roots dry slightly; and
• become less obvious immediately after watering.

Mould is more likely to:

• spread irregularly between peas;
• form web-like patches;
• remain visible after watering; or
• occur with soft seed, slime or sour smells.

If you are uncertain, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.

Discard crops showing obvious spoilage.

Harvest

Harvest approximately:

10–14 days from sowing

Pea shoots are generally ready when:

• shoots are approximately 10–15cm tall;
• stems remain crisp and tender;
• leaves are fresh green;
• the canopy is well developed; and
• the crop has a fresh, mildly sweet pea flavour.

Cut cleanly several centimetres above the growing medium.

There is no need to wait for pronounced curling tendrils to develop.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest when the foliage is relatively dry where practical.

For more detailed guidance, see How to Harvest & Store Microgreens.

For refrigerated storage:

1. Keep harvested shoots as dry as practical.
2. Place them loosely in a clean container.
3. Refrigerate promptly.
4. Avoid crushing or tightly packing the tender stems and leaves.

If washed before storage, drain and dry thoroughly first.

Culinary Use

Pea Shoot microgreens work particularly well in:

• salads;
• sandwiches;
• wraps;
• grain bowls;
• noodles;
• rice dishes;
• eggs;
• vegetables; and
• quick stir-fries.

When cooking, add near the end so the shoots soften slightly without losing all of their crisp texture.

Regrowth After Harvest

Pea shoots may produce some regrowth when lower nodes remain intact after the first cut.

A second harvest can sometimes be obtained, but it is generally:

• less uniform;
• lower yielding; and
• potentially tougher than the first crop.

Treat the first cut as the primary harvest.

Clean Growing / Food Safety

Use clean soaking containers, trays, fresh growing medium, drinking-quality water and clean harvesting equipment.

Pay particular attention to:

• rinsing seed before soaking;
• draining thoroughly after soaking;
• avoiding permanent standing water;
• maintaining good airflow;
• removing deteriorating peas when practical;
• using clean harvesting tools; and
• refrigerating harvested shoots promptly.

Discard pea shoots showing mould, slime, rotting seed, abnormal discolouration, sour smells or other signs of spoilage.

Seed Storage

Store unused pea seed sealed in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

For longer-term storage, refrigeration can help maintain seed viability. Keep refrigerated seed sealed while it returns to room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.