About Austrian Winter Peas
Austrian winter peas are a cool-season annual legume that combines high palatability (up to 30% crude protein) with the nitrogen-fixing benefits of a legume, making them a natural companion for cereal grains in fall food plots. Deer hit them hard in fall before and during the rut, and where they overwinter successfully, spring growth provides another flush of high-protein forage before warm-season crops are established. They must be planted early enough — at least six weeks before a hard freeze — to develop sufficient root systems to survive winter in northern states.
How much Austrian Winter Peas seed per acre?
The standard broadcast seeding rate for Austrian Winter Peas is 50–70 lbs per acre, dropping to about 40 lbs per acre when drilled. 50–70 lb/ac broadcast; 30–50 lb/ac drilled. Pennsylvania Game Commission mixes often use 20 lb/ac in a multi-species blend with oats/wheat. Large seed size means rates look high but seed count per pound is low. The calculator above scales this to your exact plot size and converts it into the number of retail bags to buy.
When to plant Austrian Winter Peas
Austrian Winter Peas is a cool-season crop. In the northern US, plant in Aug–early Sep (needs 6+ weeks before hard freeze); farther south, plant in Sep–Oct. Sow it 3/4" deep and plan on 45–60.
Soil, pH & fertilizer
Aim for a soil pH near 6.5(don't go below ~6). No N (nitrogen-fixing legume); inoculate seed with pea-specific rhizobium. Apply P and K per soil test. Excellent companion for cereal grains because N fixed benefits companion crop. Not sure where your soil sits? Read our soil test & lime guide.
Austrian Winter Peas blends well with cereal rye, winter wheat, oats, triticale, crimson clover if you want a more diverse, resilient plot.
Austrian Winter Peas FAQ
- How much Austrian Winter Peas seed do I need per acre?
- Broadcast Austrian Winter Peas at about 50–70 lbs per acre, or 40 lbs per acre if you drill it. 50–70 lb/ac broadcast; 30–50 lb/ac drilled. Pennsylvania Game Commission mixes often use 20 lb/ac in a multi-species blend with oats/wheat. Large seed size means rates look high but seed count per pound is low.
- When should I plant Austrian Winter Peas?
- In the northern US plant in Aug–early Sep (needs 6+ weeks before hard freeze); in the South plant in Sep–Oct. Expect 45–60.
- What soil pH does Austrian Winter Peas need?
- Austrian Winter Peas does best at a soil pH around 6.5 (minimum ~6). No N (nitrogen-fixing legume); inoculate seed with pea-specific rhizobium. Apply P and K per soil test. Excellent companion for cereal grains because N fixed benefits companion crop.
- Do deer like Austrian Winter Peas?
- Deer preference: high — 'long considered a high-preference forage for whitetails' (NDA); protein up to 30%; deer hit Austrian winter peas hard in fall and again in spring where they overwinter.