Peas
Seed # 144
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 144
- Seed Name
- Peas
- Variety
- Little marvel
- 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 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, August
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Mar 15 – Aug 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 10–30 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 60 days from direct seeding
- Succession Planting
- 14 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 45-80°F
- Planting Depth
- 1 in
- Plant Spacing
- 4 in
- Row Spacing
- 12-18 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- Water regularly and maintain even soil moisture, especially during flowering and pod development
- Soil Preference
- Fertile, well-drained soil amended with compost or well-rotted manure
- Minimum Container Size
- 2-3 gal; 8-10 in deep
- Plant Height
- 18-24 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Cucumber | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Peas | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Peas | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Urban Farmer; Gurney's; Utah State Extension
- 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. Compact pea that can be grown with light support; a short trellis keeps pods clean/easy to harvest.
Original Start Planting Date: Mar 25 or as soon as soil can be worked
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: ~Jul 25 – Aug 1 for fall crop; finish spring sowing by ~May 1
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Main spring direct-sow window: Mar 25 – May 1. Optional fall sowing: ~Jul 25 – Aug 1.
Days to Harvest / Bloom: ~60–63 days
Container Friendly: Yes; very container friendly; short support helpful
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat; mostly self-pollinating
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary vegetable
Succession / Reusable Notes: Optional second sowing 10–14 days after first. Fall sowing is possible but start early enough to mature before short, cold days.
Zone 6B Notes: Good compact pea for Zone 6B spring gardens. Plant as soon as soil is workable; late-Jul fall sowing is more dependable than late Aug.
Companion Plants: Carrots, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, other cool-season crops
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Heat reduces production. Avoid soggy soil and repeated pea crops in the same bed; rotate legumes.
Sources: Urban Farmer: https://www.ufseeds.com/product/little-marvel-pea-seeds/PELM.html | Gurney's: https://www.gurneys.com/products/little_marvel_pea | Utah State Extension: https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/peas-in-the-garden
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow 4-6 weeks before the May 5 last frost. Its short 60-day maturity also makes a late-summer fall crop possible.
Germination: Sow 1 inch deep in cool, moist soil. Germination may take longer in cold spring soil.
Harvest: Harvest pods young and tender while the peas are sweet. Little Marvel is a shelling pea, so the pods are normally discarded.
Seed Saving: Allow pods to turn brown and crisp on the plant, shell the mature peas and dry thoroughly before storage. Peas mostly self-pollinate.
Special Care: Compact 18-24 inch plants generally do not require trellising, although short twiggy support may help keep heavily loaded plants upright.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/pea-little-marvel-garden — 60-day maturity, 10-30 day germination, 1-inch depth, 4-inch spacing, 45-80°F temperature, frost tolerance, 18-24 inch height and seed saving
Research Source: Botanical Interests — https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/little-marvel-petite-shelling-pea-seeds — compact shelling-pea habit, short vines, spring/fall suitability and no-support requirement
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]