Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist; gcjohn@udel.edu
The processing pea harvest season started on May 17 this year, about one week early than normal with February planted peas. Some of these early fields had freeze damage that resulted in erratic pod development and lower yield potential. With the higher than normal temperatures this week pea progress has advanced quickly making harvesting decisions challenging. Under high temperatures, peas can go from ideal harvest condition to overmature in a day, with some varieties increasing by more than 30 tenderometer units over 24 hours. Saturday will bring cooler weather and more seasonable temperatures are expected for the remainder of May, which will favor slower pea development.