Peas are one of the favorite vegetables of early spring, but who wants to wait for the pods to fill out? Pea shoots offer a fresh alternative that can be ready to harvest in just a few weeks.

The shoots are the thin tendrils plus the uppermost leaves that grow on pea plants, such as English peas or snow peas. These bright green tendrils have a sweet, fresh taste and a satisfying crunch that can chase the winter blues right away.

Sometimes you can find these delicate shoots at farmers markets, but they’re easy to grow in the vegetable garden or a container on the patio. An easier alternative is to grow them indoors in trays like microgreens.

You can use a soilless mix or organic compost to grow the pea shoots. Add the soil to a container with drainage holes and water. Then sprinkle the pea seeds close together over the top of the soil. Use a spray bottle to keep seeds and soil moist. Seeds will sprout in a few days, and a light source will help them grow quickly. In a few weeks, the sprouts will be ready to harvest with a clip of the scissors.

If you’d rather plant and grow outside, plant pea seeds while spring temperatures are still cool but when the soil has warmed to about 50° to 60°F and is moist but not soggy. The timing should be about two to four weeks before the date of the average last spring frost for your area.

Peas are hardy vegetables; they can survive a bit of frost and grow in temperatures as cool as 40°F.

Choose a full-sun to partial-sun area in the garden, on a deck or patio, and amend the soil with compost. Dig deeply and loosen the soil to make it easier for the peas to germinate and start growing.

To speed germination, soak pea seeds in water overnight. Plant seeds fairly close together, about ½ inch deep, and cover with a thin layer of compost. Use a mister or spray bottle to keep peas and soil moist while they start to grow. Then water peas as needed so the soil stays moist.

When shoots are about 3 to 4 inches tall, use scissors to clip pea shoots above the bottom leaves (some may regrow).

Rinse shoots in cold water, dry, and use right away to top green salads, blend into a smoothie, or use as a garnish for other vegetables, meat, fish, or egg dishes. They can also be stirred into hot dishes, like soups and stir fry, or sautéed in a little olive oil and seasoned to enjoy as a side dish.

Store shoots for 2 to 3 days in a covered container in the fridge.

When the plants have finished growing, dig up the roots for the compost pile, and replant more peas or another favorite spring vegetable.

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