Tuberous pea is a member of the Lathyrus family and it is grown mainly for the edible tubers that are formed. It is a so-called ‘forgotten vegetable’ that is on the rise like other forgotten vegetables. The tuberous pea has several other names such as groundnut, fieldnut, earth apple and creeping chickling among others. The tubers can be boiled and baked just like potatoes. The tubers can also be roasted. The flavour of these tubers is earthy and nutty.
This plant blooms with pretty pink flowers that are also very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. This plant can also be used as a green manure crop because, like other Lathyrus species, it adds nitrogen to the soil. The tubers are best harvested only 2 years after sowing. There is confusing information about the edibility of the flowers, young shoots and seed pods. There are sources that say these are edible and other sources say they are poisonous. So be careful. Give this vine a sturdy support. Hardy perennial. Height: 35 - 100 cm.
Pre-soak: 24 hours
Indoor sowing/under glass: February - March
Outdoor sowing: April - May
Germination: 40 - 90 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 3 cm
Sowing distance in rows: 40 - 50 cm
Planting distance: 30 - 40 cm
Plant position: sunny
Flowering period: June - August
Harvest period: October - November (the 2nd year after sowing)
Sow indoors from February in separate pots. Sow 1 seed per pot and cover the seed with 1 - 3 cm of sowing soil. To shorten the long germination time the seed can be very carefully rubbed and pre-soaked in lukewarm water 24 hours before sowing. Keep the seeds well moist during germination. Cover the pots with cling film. Set aside at about 15 - 20 °C. Keep the temperature as even as possible and do not let it drop, especially at night. Remove the cling film as soon as the young seedlings emerge. Harden off the seedlings by putting them outside during the day for about 10 - 14 days from mid-May. In mid-May, as soon as there is no chance of night frost, they can be planted outside in a sunny place with well-drained soil. Keep 30 - 40 cm space between each plant. Keep well weeded and moist. Provide support for the plant.
From the end of April, when there is no more chance of night frost, you can also sow directly in the garden. Sow thinly in rows 40 - 50 cm apart and cover the seeds with a 1 - 3 cm layer of sowing soil. Press gently and then keep moist. Thin out the young seedlings to 30 - 40 cm per plant. Keep well weeded and moist. Provide support for the plant. Like other members of this family, the young plants are very susceptible to slug infestation.
Note: the seed pods, flowers and other parts of this plant are not edible.
