Organic Austrian Winter Peas

WINTER PEAS

Cool-season annual legume. Have a low carbon to nitrogen ratio, so the crop residue decomposes quickly.

Best Use: Excellent forage quality for livestock, silage, or cover crop/plow down. Can produce up to 2-4 tons DM/acre. Pea biomass contains 3.0 to 3.5 percent nitrogen on a dry weight basis.

Requirements: Prefers cool weather and well-drained soils. Does not tolerate acidic soils. Inoculate before planting. Can withstand colder autumn temperatures than field peas.

Management: Winter hardiness in the Upper Midwest is highly variable, though newer varieties are extending the winter hardy range. See description for Wyowinter.

Planting Date*: March – April or Aug – Sept (southern MN). If spring seeding, seed as early as possible.

Seeding: 50-100 lbs/acre drilled 2-3” deep.