Peas

Basic Information

Seed Number

101

Seed Name

Peas

Variety

Alaska

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Fabaceae

Plant Type

Dwarf shelling pea (Pisum sativum)

Planting Method

Direct Sow

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 15

Last Recommended Planting Date

Aug 20

Plantable Months

March, April, August

Indoor Start

Not recorded

Direct Sow

Mar 15 – Aug 20

Transplant

Not Recommended

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not Recommended

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not Recommended

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

55 days from direct seeding

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

40-70°F

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

2-4 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

2-4 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

About 1 in/week; maintain even moisture during flowering and pod development

Soil Preference

Cool, fertile, well-drained soil amended with compost; avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal; 8-10 in deep

Plant Height

24-36 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

Yes

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Mar 25 – Apr 30; Aug 1 – Aug 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 55–70 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 3+ gal with trellis
Pollinator Friendly: Flowers support pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary; nitrogen-fixing benefit
Succession / Reusable Notes: Best spring crop; fall peas are possible but heat can make them tricky.
Zone 6B Notes: Plant early as soon as soil can be worked.
Companion Plants: Carrots, radish, turnips, cucumbers, corn, mint family nearby, calendula
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Alaska is an exceptionally early cool-season pea. Direct sow as soon as soil is workable in March. A second crop can be sown in August for cool fall harvest.
Germination: Peas germinate in cool soil, though emergence is slower at low temperatures. Rhizobium inoculant can improve nitrogen fixation where peas have not been grown recently.
Harvest: Pick shelling pods while bright green and plump but before peas become starchy. Alaska is traditionally valued for very early harvest.
Seed Saving: Allow pods to dry and become brittle on the vine. Peas are primarily self-pollinating and usually maintain varietal purity with modest separation.
Special Care: Although only about 2-3 feet tall, support with a small trellis or pea fence keeps vines upright and pods cleaner.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/alaska-pea-seeds/PEAL.html — 55-day maturity, Pisum sativum identity and full-sun/partial-shade tolerance
Research Source: Victory Seed Company — https://victoryseeds.com/products/alaska-pea — 55-day maturity, 24-36 inch height and cool-soil performance
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]