Pea Seeds (Organic) - Blue Shelling

Blue Shelling peas are an heirloom organic variety known for their unique blue-colored pods and excellent taste. These peas offer a perfect balance of sweet and earthy flavor, making them an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a flavorful and visually striking crop. The vigorous, climbing plants produce abundant pods filled with sweet, tender peas that are ideal for fresh eating, cooking, or freezing. Blue Shelling peas are perfect for organic gardening and are a great choice for both small and large-scale vegetable patches.

Key Benefits

• Unique Blue Pods: Distinctive blue-colored pods that add visual interest to the garden.
• Organic: Grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides, ensuring a healthier harvest.
• Sweet Flavor: Peas have a delicious, sweet taste, making them perfect for fresh eating or adding to a variety of dishes.
• High Yield: Produces a large number of pods filled with tender, plump peas, ensuring a generous harvest.
• Disease-Resistant: Known for its strong resistance to common pea diseases, ensuring healthy growth.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: A climbing variety that grows tall, typically reaching 5–6 feet. Requires trellising or support for optimal growth.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, tender peas with a rich flavor that makes them ideal for fresh eating or cooking.
• Growth Habit: Climbing habit, so plants require a trellis or other support to grow vertically.
• Size: Pods are about 3–4 inches long and contain several large, sweet peas.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall harvest.
• Blue Shelling peas thrive in cooler temperatures, typically between 50°F–70°F (10°C–21°C), making them ideal for spring and fall gardening.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds 1–2 inches deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds 2–3 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal, but partial shade can be tolerated in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and pod formation.
• Water deeply once a week to ensure healthy root development.

Fertilization

• Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) at planting time to encourage strong growth. Apply again when plants are about 6 inches tall to boost yield.

Weeding and Mulching

• Regularly weed around peas to reduce competition for nutrients.
• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture, keep the soil cool, and suppress weed growth.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch for aphids, pea weevils, and slugs. Use row covers or organic pest management techniques to protect your plants.
• Diseases: Rotate crops yearly to reduce the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blight. Avoid overhead watering to minimize disease spread.

Harvesting

Maturity

• Blue Shelling peas are typically ready to harvest in 60–70 days, depending on growing conditions.
• Harvest when the pods are plump but still tender for the sweetest, most flavorful peas.

Method

• Gently pinch or cut the pods off the plant, being careful not to damage the vines. Regular harvesting will encourage continuous production of new pods.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh pods can be stored in the refrigerator for 5–7 days.
• Long-Term: Shell peas and blanch them before freezing for long-term storage. Frozen peas maintain their sweetness and texture for several months.

Culinary Uses

• Fresh Eating: Blue Shelling peas are perfect for snacking right off the vine due to their sweet, crisp texture.
• Stir-Fries: Add to stir-fries for a burst of sweetness and fresh flavor.
• Steaming: Steam lightly to preserve their delicate flavor and tender texture.
• Soups and Stews: Use in soups for a fresh, sweet addition to your recipes.
• Freezing: Blanch and freeze peas to enjoy them year-round in a variety of dishes.

Conclusion

Blue Shelling peas are an organic, high-yielding variety that adds both visual appeal and a delicious flavor to any garden. With their sweet taste, unique blue pods, and disease resistance, they are an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Whether eaten fresh, frozen, or cooked, Blue Shelling peas are sure to impress and provide a bountiful harvest that can be enjoyed throughout the year.