Peas are traditionally planted on St. Patrick’s Day. This seedling just emerged from compost a few days later. Photo by Doug Oster “always start your peas on St. Patrick’s Day” "Of course, on March 17 it can be anywhere from 70 degrees and sunny to 17 degrees with a thick layer of snow covering the garden beds. Either way, the first trick to getting those peas to sprout quickly is to soak the seeds in water overnight. It’s amazing to see the transformation the next morning as the tiny hard seeds have swollen to three times their original size with a softened outer coating, ready for germination." "The garden usually is too wet to turn over. If the soil sticks to the shovel when digging, leave it be. Working soil that’s too wet will create ugly clumps that dry to nearly the consistency of cement and will be a pain to deal with all season." "When there’s no snow in the garden, a bag of compost from a garden center can be put down over a bed. It’s the perfect place for the seeds as it’s filled with everything they will need when they emerge. Push the seeds about an inch down and cover them by simply dragging your hand across the compost." "The peas can be planted a couple inches apart in straight rows, if you’re so inclined, or tossed willy nilly over the bed. Either way, the plants will need some support in the form of a short fence or even sticks pushed into the bed. Peas need cool weather to thrive, but can be planted well into April if need be. The plants will stop producing and give up when warm weather arrives."
Of course it doesn't hurt to pick up a few bars of Irish Spring, about this time, to help things along!
Obviously, I cannot plant peas on March 17, but other places I have lived hold that planting potatoes on St. Patrick's Day brings a good crop. In the very deep South, we planted potatoes on New Year's and peas shortly thereafter (what they call English Peas, not Cow Peas, Purple Hulls, and Crowders).
From the statue/picture, it appears that sweet Molly might have been selling something other than fish and mussels.