I started these pea shoots from dried (Marrow fat) peas just under two weeks ago indoors. I soaked them overnight first, and they germinated in a coolish room within a few days. Their counterparts sown in my mini greenhouse outside haven’t appeared as yet, so this a great indoor way to supplement bought lettuces for a really tasty salad. (Here’s a quick ‘how to’ sow pea shoots if you haven’t had a go before).
They are a tad on the leggy side, but still taste delicious and I’m just off to sow another batch. With warmer weather and longer days, I’ll be sowing lettuce and mustard leaf seeds outside in my mini greenhouse too, but with heavy frosts still coating roofs in the morning, it may be a while yet before these seeds really get going.
Outside, without any protection, my winter lettuces gave up the ghost in January, but Red Knight Mizuna, planted in August, has happily made it through the winter months. Although soon to be going to seed, it’s still supplying deliciosly mild mustardy leaves.
Red Giant Mustard leaves sown in September didn’t really get growing to any stature, but now they really pack a hot mustardy punch. Great for adding (sparingly) to salads with other leaves or perfect for a stir fry.
And as these winter leaves reach the end of their growing season, I can’t wait to get started sowing again.
Out of my shed 
Can’t wait to get going now. I love pea shoots and will also be sowing some watercress this weekend.
HI SG, Forgot how juicy and succulent these little shoots were and found it difficult not to eat the whole lot before they made it into the bowl. Watercress sounds like a great idea too.
BRILLANT POST AS ALWAYS HOPPING TO GET SOWING SOON
Thanks Linda!
Mine have just come through the compost. I love them added to a lemon risotto and stirred in at the end then sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan.
Cor Sue! That sounds delicious!
Lovely post. I love planting peas for their shoots too, but hadn’t thought of planting them inside – about to grab my compost. I grow mizuna through the winter too, still picking a few hardy baby chard, spinach and cavolo nero leaves and moroccan landcress too and I always leave a few beetroot for their leaves through winter spring. But can’t wait for a bit more variety now and pea shoots sound very fresh/Springlike.
Hi Andrea, haven’t grown Moroccan land cress before. Sounds like a great addition to your winter leaves. Can you let me know where to buy seeds?
The marrow fat peas suggestion is lovely – especially at the time of year when any green shoots are treasured. Thank you for the idea
Hi G&G, Have to admit borrowing the idea of dried peas from the fabulous Vertical Veg website. A whole heap cheaper than using pukka pea seeds and equally if not more tasty.
That’s a good idea and in fact I may just do that tomorrow. Planted my first seeds of the year this morning, euphorbia and verbena, also had an online seed ordering binge at the weekend so the show is really starting. Lovely day in London today. I even took my cardy off at one point! Hope you enjoyed the good weather.
Hi Claire, took my cardy off yesterday too! Still need to do a little more seed shopping (but maybe should check last year’s stash before going wild!).Which Euphorbia are you growing from seed? Sounds exciting..
It’s euphorbia oblongata from Sarah Raven. I am completely addicted to her catalogue and read it most bedtimes for about 2 weeks when it arrived (!) haven’t grown any of Sarah’s seeds before though.
Hi Claire, Quite agree. Sarah Raven is queen of the catalogues-paper and online too. Her gorgeous images are very seductive! I’ve mostly grown her veg seeds which have always done really well for me.
Hey Naomi,
Going to sow some indoor peas for shoots this weekend. Never tried it before, looking forward to tasting them.
My peas in the greenhouse are also slow. Lack of sun, but last few days have helped.
I never fail to be impressed by the winter salad leaves. Mizuna is my favourite, but also like serifon and green in snow. Really hardy.
Radiccio has also surprised me with its hardiness too. Survives right through to spring.
Hi Jono,
Love Green in Snow-just planted some more a couple of days ago. But these might take a while as it looks like snow again next week!
I didn’t have quite enough winter leaves this year, but hopefully with better planning (and a cloche for my lettuces) will have more next winter. Radiccio now on my list too.
Hope you like the pea shoots. I love them mixed with a few other lettuce/mustard leaf leaves as they add great texture as well as taste.
[…] Tuesday: Naomi from Out of My Shed reminds me that I must get out in my garden and get planting if I have any hope of eating my own produce this year with her post Indoor pea shoots and other leaves to eat now […]