Pea – Little Marvel Seeds, OSC Ontario Seed Company

Little Marvel Pea. Heirloom vegeatble. Little Marvel originated in England at the turn of the 20th century and was a 1934 All America Selections winner. This exquisitely sweet old favourite deserves a place in every home garden. Dwarf vines produce deep green, nearly round pods 7.5cm (3in) long that are tightly packed with 7-8 very tender and very sweet peas. A good freezing variety – that is if you don’t eat them all straight from the garden!

Attributes

Light Requirement: Full Sun
Planting Method: Direct Seed
Growth Habit: Bushy
Days to Emergence: 15

Days to Harvest 63

Height: 45 – 50cm (18 – 20in)

How to Grow

Peas are a cool weather crop and can be sown from early April through to mid-May when the soil temperature is between 10-16 C (50-60 F). Sow in double rows spaced 25cm (10in) with the seeds 6.5cm (2.5in) apart within the row and 1.25-2.5cm (1/2-1in) deep. Space each set of double rows 75cm (2.5ft) apart. Peas can also be sown in blocks 120cm (48in) square with the seeds spaced 6.5cm (2.5in) apart within the block. Sow successive crops 10-14 days apart for extended harvests. Keep the soil evenly moist during the germination period or emergence will be spotty. You can stake or support row planted bush varieties for easier picking – climbing varieties definitely need to be supported. Avoid the use of high nitrogen fertilizers. Once flowering starts, it is important to keep the plants well watered to produce a good harvest. As the pods mature, pick daily to enjoy their peak flavour and to encourage more pods to form. Careful cultivation between rows is recommended to increase harvest yield. Removing clover and other non-crop legumes from the vicinity of the pea crop will reduce pest problems.