Peas & Cabbage: Little Green Giants

In the garden, these two make excellent companions and offer plenty of benefits. Both cabbage and peas are cool-season vegetables, which means they thrive in cool temperatures and can tolerate frost. So if you’re itching to get your garden started early this spring, add this dream duo to your grow-list. Why else should you plant them together? Well, Cabbage, being a heavy feeder, requires a significant amount of nitrogen to thrive. Peas, on the other hand, can turn nitrogen into a form that cabbage can feast on. By planting this dream team in the same garden bed, you can enhance the nitrogen content in the soil, promoting healthier and more robust growth in your cabbage plants.

And in the kitchen, peas and cabbage are the ultimate pair for tasty delights. Check out this Bonnie Plants® recipe, Snow And Snap Pea Salad with Spring Vegetables that you can enjoy as a light lunch or serve alongside your favorite entrée.

All About Peas



Fun Facts

#1: Ancient Origins: Peas have been cultivated for thousands of years making them one of the oldest crops.

#2: Pea Pods: Sweet peas (also called garden peas) are grown for their seeds, while snow and snap peas are enjoyed whole, including the pod.

#3: Good Luck: It’s believed that planting pea seeds on St. Patrick’s Day will bring luck at harvest time.

Growing Tips

Peas are the early risers of the garden world. As soon as the ground thaws and whispers of spring are in the air, it’s pea time! One thing you may want to consider before digging in is setting up a trellis because peas like to grow tall and proud, plus hanging peas add a bit of glam to your garden. Now, here are some golden rules for growing:

• Temperature – Plant your pea seeds as soon as the soil temperature reaches 45 °F (normally 4-6 weeks before your last frost date).
• Sunlight – Choose a spot that receives 6-8 hours of full sun a day.
• Soil – Use well-draining, fertile soil with several inches of aged compost like, Miracle-Gro® Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil.
• Spacing – Plant them in 1-inch deep soil, 2-3 inches apart from one another.
• Mulching: Once, planted, add a layer of mulch around your pea plants to help keep moisture in the soil longer.
• Watering – Give your peas 1 inch of water a week (if you have a wet and rainy spring, you may not need to water at all).
• Frost: Protect young, developing pea pods from the late-season frost by covering them with a frost blanket.

Harvest Hack

Peas, especially snap and snow peas, can become over-mature very quickly. So keep your eyes peeled and check on them every day. When it’s time to harvest, aim for the morning to pick them — that’s when they’re crispiest.

All About Cabbage



Fun Facts

#1: Historical Staple: Cabbage boasts a rich history with over 4,000 years of cultivation.

#2: Globetrotter: While we often think of cabbage as the sidekick to Irish corned beef, China takes the crown as the biggest cabbage consumer.

#3: Record Breaking: In 2012, the largest cabbage ever grown weighed in at a whopping 138.25 pounds (62.7 kilograms), currently holding the Guinness World Record.

Growing Tips

You’ll want to grow cabbage outdoors from starter plants — either purchased from your local garden center or grown yourself from seed indoors. You can transplant your cabbage plants into your outdoor garden 2-3 weeks before the last frost.

• Temperature – Transplant your cabbage once it’s above 40 ° outside.
• Sunlight – Choose a spot that receives 6-8 hours of full sun a day.
• Soil – Use well-draining, fertile soil with several inches of aged compost like, Miracle-Gro® Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil.
• Spacing – Plant them 12-24 inches apart from one another depending on the variety.
• Mulching – Once, planted, add a layer of mulch around your cabbage plants to help keep moisture in the soil longer.
• Watering – Give your peas 1-1.5 inches of water a week (drip irrigation is a great way to water since the large leaves can make it difficult to thoroughly wet the soil).
• Feeding – Shake Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Extended Boost 1-3 inches over the soil or directly over mulch to to keep your cabbages fed until harvest..
• Frost: Protect young cabbage plants from the late-season frosts or whenever temperatures drop below freezing by covering them with a frost blanket.

Harvest Hack

You’ll want to wait until your cabbages have reached their mature size and the heads are firm to the touch. When they’re ready, cut the head at its base using a sharp knife and remove any yellow or damaged leaves — but leave a few loose outer leaves because they keep the inner cabbage head protected during storage.

Your Planting Pal: The Miraculous Green Guide

Take your gardening journey to the next level with our expert guide — created by those who love plants as much as you do. You’ll get helpful tips, inspiration, DIY ideas, and so much more. Because the more you know, the better you grow.