12 Pea Varieties That Do Well in Early Season Weather
If you are eager to get your garden going early in the season, choosing the right pea variety can make all the difference. Peas are a great choice for early-season gardening since they can thrive in cooler temperatures and even handle a light frost. Planting the right types of peas will give you a head start on your harvest and fill your garden with fresh, flavorful produce. Whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned pro, selecting peas that do well in early spring can help you make the most of your growing season. These peas not only add a burst of color to your garden but are also perfect for everything from fresh snacks to delicious recipes. With the right varieties, you can enjoy a productive garden even when the weather is still a little unpredictable.
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Oregon Sugar Pod II
Oregon Sugar Pod II is a popular pea variety known for its early-season resilience. This variety grows well in cooler temperatures, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to plant early in the season. With its sweet, tender pods, Oregon Sugar Pod II produces high yields of crisp, green peas that are perfect for fresh eating or cooking.
It is also known for its disease resistance, particularly to powdery mildew, which is common in early spring. The plants grow to about 2-3 feet tall and do not require a lot of space, making them great for small gardens or containers. This pea variety matures in about 60 days, offering a quick harvest for eager gardeners. Its sweet flavor and high productivity make it a favorite among gardeners seeking a reliable pea variety in unpredictable weather.
Early Frosty
Early Frosty peas are known for their cold tolerance, thriving in cool, early-season weather. They are one of the earliest maturing varieties, often ready for harvest in as little as 50-55 days after planting. This makes Early Frosty an excellent choice for those in cooler climates who want to start their garden early.
The peas themselves are tender and sweet, perfect for eating fresh or adding to a variety of dishes. The plants are compact, growing to about 18-24 inches in height, which is ideal for small spaces or container gardening. Early Frosty is also known for its high yield and resistance to common early-season pests and diseases, making it a reliable choice for gardeners looking for both productivity and disease resistance.
Little Marvel
Little Marvel is a dwarf pea variety that does exceptionally well in early-season weather, thanks to its ability to tolerate cooler temperatures. Growing to a compact height of 18 inches, this variety is perfect for gardeners with limited space. Despite its small stature, Little Marvel produces a high yield of sweet, flavorful peas that can be harvested early, often around 55-60 days after planting.
This pea is great for containers, raised beds, or small garden plots. Little Marvel is known for its uniform pods, which are filled with tender, sweet peas that are perfect for snacking or cooking. The variety’s ability to thrive in cooler temperatures makes it an excellent choice for early planting in temperate climates. It is also resistant to disease and pests, making it a hardy and reliable choice.
Green Arrow
Green Arrow peas are an excellent choice for early-season planting, known for their ability to withstand cold weather and grow well in less-than-ideal conditions. This variety is a mainstay in many gardens due to its reliable performance and excellent flavor. Green Arrow peas are particularly noted for their high yield and long, straight pods, which are packed with sweet, tender peas.
The plants grow to about 2-3 feet tall and do well in cooler spring temperatures. Green Arrow peas are also known for their ability to produce large quantities of peas per plant, making them a great choice for those looking to stock up on fresh produce early in the season. They mature in about 60-65 days, making them a fast-growing option for gardeners looking to get a jumpstart on the growing season.
Mammoth Melting Sugar
Mammoth Melting Sugar peas are a unique variety that stands out for their edible pods and ability to grow well in early-season weather. These peas are a sugar-snap type, meaning both the peas and the pods are edible. The pods are tender and sweet, and the peas inside are large and juicy. Mammoth Melting Sugar grows to a height of 4-6 feet, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a taller pea variety that can handle cooler temperatures.
Despite its height, this variety is quite hardy and resistant to frost, allowing it to thrive even in unpredictable early-season weather. The plants produce large, sweet peas that are perfect for fresh eating or using in stir-fries and other dishes. Mammoth Melting Sugar is a great choice for gardeners who prefer a sweet and crunchy snack from their garden.
Wando
Wando peas are well-suited for early-season weather, as they are particularly resistant to frost and cold temperatures. This variety is known for its excellent flavor and high yield, making it a favorite among gardeners in colder regions. Wando peas produce plump, sweet peas that are perfect for a wide range of culinary uses.
The plants grow to a height of 2-3 feet, and they are relatively compact, making them an excellent choice for small gardens or raised beds. Wando peas are also great for early planting, as they mature in just 60 days, offering a quick harvest for eager gardeners. The plants are hardy and able to withstand the challenges of early-season weather, making them a reliable choice for gardeners in cooler climates.
Alaska
Alaska peas are a cold-tolerant variety that is perfect for early-season gardening. This variety is one of the earliest maturing peas, often ready for harvest in just 50-55 days. Alaska peas are known for their sweet flavor and tender texture, making them a great choice for fresh eating. The plants are compact, growing to about 18 inches tall, which makes them suitable for small garden spaces or containers.
Despite their short height, Alaska peas produce a high yield of peas that are perfect for various dishes. Their ability to withstand cool temperatures makes them an ideal option for gardeners who want to plant early in the season. Alaska peas are also resistant to diseases that can affect early-season crops, making them a hardy and reliable choice.
Dwarf Gray Sugar
Dwarf Gray Sugar peas are an early-season variety that is known for their hardiness in cooler temperatures. This variety is particularly well-suited for small spaces, as it grows to only about 18 inches tall. Despite its compact size, Dwarf Gray Sugar produces an abundant harvest of sweet, tender peas. The edible pods are flat and filled with peas that are perfect for snacking or adding to dishes.
Dwarf Gray Sugar is cold-tolerant, allowing it to thrive even in early spring when temperatures are still cool. The plants mature in about 60 days, making them a fast-growing option for gardeners looking for an early harvest. This variety is a great choice for gardeners with limited space who want to enjoy fresh peas early in the season.
Ambassador
Ambassador peas are an excellent early-season variety known for their robust performance in cool temperatures. This variety matures in about 55-60 days, making it a quick grower perfect for those looking to start their garden early. Ambassador peas are known for their large, sweet pods that are filled with plump peas.
The plants grow to about 2-3 feet tall, making them suitable for smaller gardens or raised beds. They are frost-resistant, which allows them to endure colder temperatures and continue growing throughout early spring. The peas themselves have a sweet, tender texture that makes them ideal for both fresh eating and cooking. Ambassador peas are a hardy, reliable choice for gardeners seeking an early harvest.
Sugar Snap
Sugar Snap peas are a well-loved variety for early-season weather due to their sweet flavor and crunchy texture. This variety produces pods that are tender and edible, meaning both the peas and the pods can be enjoyed. Sugar Snap peas are known for their versatility in the garden, thriving in cooler spring temperatures and producing high yields.
The plants grow to about 3-4 feet tall and are great for gardeners with a little more space. Sugar Snap peas mature in about 60-65 days, offering a relatively quick harvest for those eager to get fresh peas early in the season. These peas are known for their sweetness, which makes them a favorite for snacking, stir-fries, or salads. Their cold tolerance and high yield make them an excellent choice for early planting in cooler climates.
Feltham First
Feltham First is one of the earliest maturing pea varieties, with a harvest time of about 50-55 days. This variety is known for its early-season productivity, making it a great choice for gardeners who want to get a head start on the growing season. Feltham First peas are sweet and tender, perfect for fresh snacking or adding to a variety of dishes. The plants are compact, growing to around 18-24 inches tall, which makes them suitable for small gardens or container planting.
Despite their compact size, they produce a high yield of peas that are flavorful and easy to harvest. The plants are frost-resistant and can handle cooler temperatures, making them an excellent choice for spring planting. Their quick maturity and high yield make them a reliable and productive variety for early-season gardening.
Lincoln
Lincoln peas are a popular variety known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures. This variety is particularly resistant to frost, making it an excellent choice for early-season planting. Lincoln peas mature in about 60 days, offering a relatively quick harvest for those eager to enjoy fresh peas early in the season. The plants grow to about 2-3 feet tall and produce long, straight pods filled with sweet, tender peas.
Lincoln peas are known for their high yield, making them an excellent choice for gardeners who want to stock up on fresh produce early in the season. They are also resistant to common early-season diseases, ensuring a reliable harvest. Their cold tolerance and productivity make them a great option for gardeners in cooler climates.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.