Knowledgebase
Overwintered Peas #889234
Asked November 02, 2024, 2:42 PM EDT
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Winter peas compete poorly with winter weeds, which can choke it out during mild winters, so if anything allowing a more established crop to flourish will be good for your soil. Given the mild fall we are having thus far, you are surely not the only one seeing your cover crops growing more than usual. With warm winters and adequate water, cover crops can sometimes produce excessive biomass, in which case growth should be terminated at an earlier date to prevent problems with planting summer crops, but we are in Vermont so I doubt you will encounter this issue. My advice would be to let them go and see how they fair the winter months. If they survive the winter, you’ll still want the nitrogen they produce and still prepare your beds the same way before planting season. Your termination strategy in the spring is what matters the most, so I’ve included a link to a resource which should help you there. Hope this helps!