Pea Seeds - Green Arrow

Green Arrow peas are a popular, high-yielding heirloom variety prized for their flavorful, tender peas and excellent disease resistance. Known for their long pods filled with sweet, plump peas, this variety is ideal for fresh eating, freezing, or adding to your favorite recipes. The tall, vining plants require staking or trellising and are perfect for gardeners who want an abundant harvest in a relatively small space. Green Arrow peas thrive in cool weather and are a reliable choice for both spring and fall planting.

Key Benefits

• Abundant Yield: Produces large crops of pods, each containing 8–11 sweet, flavorful peas.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or cooking.
• Disease Resistant: Shows strong resistance to common pea diseases, such as fusarium wilt and powdery mildew.
• Compact Pods: Long, slender pods are easy to shell and ideal for storage or immediate use.
• Cold Tolerant: Thrives in cooler temperatures, making it great for spring and fall planting.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Tall, vigorous vines growing up to 24–30 inches in height.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and tender peas with a classic garden-fresh taste.
• Growth Habit: Vining plants require support and grow densely for maximum productivity.
• Size: Pods measure 4–5 inches long, containing 8–11 peas per pod.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Plant in early spring as soon as the soil is workable.
• For a fall harvest, sow seeds in late summer or early fall in cooler climates.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Sow seeds 1–2 inches deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds 2–3 inches apart, with rows 18–24 inches apart.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Avoid overly rich soil, which can promote excessive foliage over pods.
• Sunlight: Requires full sun to partial shade.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during flowering and pod development.
• Provide about 1 inch of water per week.

Fertilization

• Peas are light feeders. A balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) can be applied at planting if soil fertility is low.

Weeding and Mulching

• Weed regularly to avoid competition, but take care not to disturb shallow roots.
• Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Trellising

• Provide trellises or stakes for the vines to climb, promoting better air circulation and easier harvesting.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Protect against aphids, pea weevils, and cutworms with insecticidal soap or row covers.
• Diseases: Rotate crops annually to prevent root rot and other soil-borne diseases. Green Arrow’s natural resistance reduces the likelihood of issues.

Harvesting

Maturity

• Ready to harvest in approximately 65–70 days.
• Pods should be firm, bright green, and fully filled with peas.

Method

• Harvest by pinching or cutting pods from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.
• Frequent picking encourages continued production.

Storage

• Short-Term: Store fresh pods in the refrigerator in a perforated bag for up to a week.
• Long-Term: Shell peas, blanch, and freeze for extended storage without losing quality.

Culinary Uses

• Fresh Eating: Enjoy raw for a sweet, crisp snack.
• Soups and Stews: Add flavor and texture to hearty dishes.
• Freezing: Freeze for long-term storage, retaining flavor and nutrients.
• Side Dishes: Sauté with butter, garlic, and herbs for a simple, delicious side.

Conclusion

Green Arrow peas are a dependable, high-yielding variety perfect for gardeners who want a steady supply of sweet, tender peas. Their long pods, robust flavor, and disease resistance make them a favorite for fresh eating and preserving. Whether grown for home consumption or storage, Green Arrow peas offer a delicious and versatile addition to your garden.