Posted on Nov 25, 2023 at 8:03 pm by James T
During the 2022-2023 campaign, late sowings of peas and winter broad beans carried out at the end of November showed better resistance to frost and early diseases. Due to milder winters in recent years, new opportunities are arising for late sowings of these crops. The technical success of these winter plantations is explained by milder temperatures during the winter, allowing even the beginning of the growth cycle of peas and broad beans.
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Late sowings of peas and broad beans: good resistance and stable yields
Despite relatively long germination phases, peas and broad beans adapt very well without a decrease in yield unlike cereals, thanks to their high energy reserve seeds.
- Greater resistance to frost and diseases.
- Culture suitable for late planting periods.
- High and consistent yields.
Less exposure to frost and diseases for late sowings
Another explanation for the success of these late sowings is the reduction of their exposure to frost and diseases. Indeed, these sowings limit the advancement of growth stages after winter, a period when temperature fluctuations are most damaging. As a result, early diseases such as bacterial complex, ascochyta disease, and colletotrichum, observed in 2023, were limited in the late sowing plots.
Tips: Avoid severe frost during sowings and prefer well-drained soil
The only risk that can affect these late sowing dates is frost during the seed imbibition phase. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to sow deeply in order to protect the epicotyl during the vegetative phase – the most sensitive to frost damage.
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What is the deadline for sowing winter peas and broad beans?
To sow winter peas and broad beans, it is best to finish before the end of December. If you sow before this indicative period, your plants will have a good chance of growing well and yielding good results.
Sowing in January or February is possible, but the plants may not grow as well and yield less. This is because they are less exposed to frost and diseases. If you sow very late, you need to plant the seeds a little deeper (4 to 6 cm) to protect them from the cold. You should also choose a time when it is not very cold to sow.
Spring sowings, an interesting but less effective alternative
It is possible to carry out sowings of winter varieties in spring.
If you missed the ideal period for planting peas or broad beans, know that late sowings are still possible. However, it should be noted that potential yields will probably be lower than those obtained with winter sowings. The reason for this is that winter legumes require a higher accumulation of temperatures to properly complete their growth cycle and develop their yield components.
For winter peas sown in spring, an average penalty of 7 q/ha is generally observed compared to spring genotypes. Under these conditions, it is preferable to sow a spring variety and keep the winter seed for another campaign.
In summary:
- Spring sowings are possible but with a lower yield potential.
- It is recommended to choose a variety suitable for the planting season.
It is still November, and it is not too late to sow winter peas and broad beans. It is also the ideal time to enjoy autumn vegetables and continue harvesting in your vegetable gardens and orchards. Let’s explore together which vegetables and fruits are ready to be picked during this period.
