🌿 Grow Guide: Sweet & Crunchy Pea Shoots

Pea shoots are one of the most popular and rewarding microgreens to grow. They provide a high yield, have a wonderfully sweet and crunchy flavor, and can often be harvested multiple times!

Here is your detailed guide to growing a Farmer You Kitchen Kit of delicious Pea Shoots.

Step 1: Prep & Sow (The Big Soak!)

Data Point	Peas (Shoots)
Seed Weight per Kitchen Kit Tray	60 Grams
Needs Pre-Soak?	Yes (8–24 hours)
Optimal Germination Temp	60 to 75 degrees F

1. The Essential Soak: Pea seeds are large and tough, and require a long pre-soak for successful germination. Place 250–350 grams of pea seeds in a large container of cool water. Soak them for 8–24 hours.

   • Tip: The peas will swell considerably, so use a container that is at least twice the volume of the seeds.

2. Rinse & Drain: After soaking, thoroughly rinse and drain the seeds. Some growers let them sit damp (but not submerged) for an extra 12 hours, rinsing a few times, until small white root tips (radicles) start to emerge.

3. Prepare the Tray: Place an 8x8 germination pad in the kitchen kit tray and fully saturate the pad, draining off excess water.

4. Sow the Seeds: Spread the pre-soaked and drained peas very densely across the entire surface. They should be laid thick, usually touching or slightly overlapping.

Step 2: Blackout & Weighting

Blackout and weighting is not a necessary step with the Farmer You Kitchen Kit, but it can lead to increased productivity. If you wish to forgo the blackout and weighting, simply place the germination cover over your tray until the seeds have sprouted.

Data Point	Peas (Shoots)
Weighted Days	2–3
Blackout Days	3–5
Notes on Germination	Soak helps quicken germination; lay thick layer of seeds.

1. Apply Weight (Days 1–3): Place a second tray (or some other flat waterproof object) directly on top of the seeds. Place a weight (5 lbs) on the top tray for 2–3 days. This pressure is vital for pushing the strong roots down and ensuring the shoots grow straight up.

2. Continue Blackout (Days 3–5): After removing the weight, keep the trays stacked or covered in the dark for a total of 3–5 days until the shoots are 2–3 inches tall and developing yellow leaves.

3. Monitor: Check daily. Keep the medium consistently moist (bottom watering is best) during this phase.

Step 3: Grow & Water

Data Point	Peas (Shoots)
Other Tips	Can often be re-harvested once.

1. Introduce Light: Once the shoots reach 2–3 inches and the majority of the seeds are open, move them immediately under bright grow lights or into a sunny spot. They will quickly turn a deep, vibrant green.

2. Watering: Switch entirely to bottom watering for the remaining growth cycle. Peas are thirsty! You may need to water daily or twice daily as they grow rapidly.

3. Airflow: Excellent airflow is critical for pea shoots to prevent mold and mildew, especially given how densely they are planted. Use a small fan if possible.

Step 4: Harvest

Data Point	Peas (Shoots)
Days Until Harvest	10–20
Other Tips	Harvest when 4-6 inches tall.

1. Timing: Pea shoots are ready for harvest in 10–20 days, or when they are between 4–6 inches tall.

2. The Cut: Use a sharp knife or heavy scissors. Cut the shoots just above the first set of leaves or about an inch above the soil line.

3. Re-Harvesting (Bonus Tip!): Unlike many other microgreens, pea shoots can often be re-harvested. If you leave the bottom inch of the stem and the roots intact, keep watering the tray, and new shoots will often sprout, giving you a second (smaller) harvest about 7–10 days later!

4. With the MagniMoist pad, harvesting is a breeze! Simply hold the pad vertically above a bowl and allow the greens to fall into the bowl as you cut along the stems.

Enjoy the ultimate microgreen snack!