Austrian Winter Peas

Planting Window: August through October. Plant early enough for plants to reach 6–8 inches before the soil freezes — Austrian winter peas are shallow rooted and susceptible to heaving if they enter winter too small or too large. Can also be frost seeded in early spring.

Seeding Rates & Depth: Precision: 30 lbs/acre | Drilled: 40 lbs/acre at ½"–1" deep Broadcast and aerial seeding not recommended.

Additional Specs: Avg. seeds/lb: 1,800–4,000 | Emergence: 9 days | Mature height: 2–4 feet

Inoculant: Inoculation recommended — use pea or vetch inoculant.

Tolerance: Low drought and heat tolerance. Does not tolerate flooding or ponding.

What are winter peas used for?

Winter peas are commonly used as a cool-season cover crop or forage legume. They are planted to add biomass, improve soil fertility, and provide palatable forage for livestock.

What are Austrian winter peas?

Austrian winter peas are a specific type of winter pea known for fast germination, strong biomass production, and livestock palatability. They are often planted in fall as a cover crop or in spring for forage use.

Do Austrian winter peas fix nitrogen?

Yes. As a legume, Austrian winter peas contribute nitrogen to the soil when properly inoculated, supporting soil fertility and benefiting subsequent crops.

Are Austrian winter peas winter hardy?

Austrian winter peas have limited winter hardiness compared to some other cool-season legumes. Survival depends on planting timing, snow cover, and regional winter conditions.

Can winter peas be planted alone or in a mix?

Winter peas can be planted as a single-species stand or included in cover crop and forage mixes. When blended with grasses or other legumes, seeding rates should be adjusted to maintain balance.