Is every pea a potential seed?

Question

As the pea seeds from the gardening store look the same to me like the dried ones from the supermarket, I'd ask myself the question if I could use those for growing them as Microgreens? Is this possible or are they most likely some kind of special breed that can't germinate?

UPADTE:

I had a few supermarket peas soaked overnight and 'planted' them this morning. Unfortunately, I could not find my usual microgreen trays because I did renovate this summer and therefore I had to use a provisional, but it will do the job. I will post an update with pictures as soon as there is something to see.

Answer 1

Yes, a dried pea is a seed, but there's a 'but'! Dried peas bought for culinary purposes will not be a 'special breed that can't germinate', but, like dried beans, they may actually not grow for other reasons. Some peas and beans sold for food use are irradiated prior to sale to prevent them starting to grow or sprouting; others may be pretty old, or not stored in optimum conditions (for growth) and, whilst still perfectly suitable as a foodstuff, are no longer able to produce growth. But you might find some do grow, and they're relatively cheap, so it's worth a try if you've got plenty of space and you're prepared for a high failure rate, or with no guarantee of growth. I'd certainly experiment with them if I had room, but if you want guaranteed microgreens, its best to buy seed peas.

UPDATE: I just noticed in the comments you mentioned saving your own seed - in order to do that, you would have to grow the peas on to maturity, so that they flower and set pods, which you then harvest and save for growing as microgreens. But you'd need an awful lot of pea plants to produce seeds from the pods to have a regular supply of microgreens over time.

Answer 2

Every pea is a seed. Absolutely. But every pea should not be used to plant peas. Seeds you know nothing about, seeds you've gotten from your own plants yet you do not know both parents should not be used. I still gather them and hold onto them for emergencies?

Always purchase the best seed you are able to afford. Look at disease resistance, make sure the variety is able to thrive in your zone, know the pH that plant needs in the soil, how to water, that the drainage is exemplary, what fertilizer is the best and how never to overdo, how to build the soil you have, unless you are using pots then it should always be bagged, sterilized plain old cheapo potting soil...never soil from the garden.

Your seeds should always state NON GMO on the label. Gathering your own seed without the facilities to know both parents for sure, is too iffy.

There are lots of plants either 'feminized' or unable to make seed altogether to protect the patent. Peas aren't that great for eating as sprouts if that is what you mean by microgreens. I would certainly collect them and vacuum pack and put in the fridge or freezer. But I would focus on getting great seeds first...don't use anything you find in the grocery store

Peas are one of the easiest to grow, they love cold. Always start with non gmo seeds. Cost a bit more but you do not want genetically modified pea plants...trust me.