Pea Seeds - Little Marvel

Little Marvel peas are a compact, early-maturing variety known for their sweet, tender pods and high yields. These peas are perfect for small gardens, container gardening, or anyone looking for a reliable pea variety with a quick turnaround. Despite their petite size, Little Marvel peas pack a punch with their deliciously sweet flavor and tender texture. They are perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or preserving, making them an excellent addition to any garden.

Key Benefits

• Early Maturity: Ready for harvest in just 55–60 days, making it one of the quickest-growing pea varieties.
• Compact Growth: Small, bushy plants that are ideal for limited spaces, containers, or raised beds.
• Sweet Flavor: Offers a delightful, sweet taste that is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.
• High Yield: Produces an abundant crop of tender, flavorful peas despite its compact size.
• Cold Tolerant: Grows well in cooler temperatures, making it suitable for spring and fall planting.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Short, bushy plants growing to about 18–24 inches in height, perfect for small spaces.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, tender peas with a smooth texture, ideal for fresh eating or adding to cooked dishes.
• Growth Habit: Bush variety, does not require trellising, making it easy to grow in smaller gardens or containers.
• Size: Pods are 2–3 inches long, filled with small, sweet peas that are perfect for harvesting early.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked or in late summer for a fall harvest.
• Little Marvel peas thrive in temperatures between 50°F–70°F (10°C–21°C), ideal for cooler seasons.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds 1–2 inches deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds 2–3 inches apart in rows 12–18 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 is tolerable in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pod formation, but avoid waterlogging.
• Water deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water to ensure healthy root development.

Fertilization

• Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) at planting time to promote strong growth. Additional feeding when plants are 6–8 inches tall will encourage better yields.

Weeding and Mulching

• Regularly weed around peas to reduce competition for nutrients, being careful not to disturb the shallow roots.
• Mulch around the base of the plants to keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and pea weevils. Use organic pest control methods or row covers to protect the plants.
• Diseases: Rotate crops each season to reduce the risk of diseases like powdery mildew. Ensure good garden hygiene to prevent issues.

Harvesting

Maturity

• Little Marvel peas are ready to harvest in 55–60 days, making them one of the fastest varieties for garden harvest.
• For sweet, tender snow peas, pick the pods while they are young and still flat. If you prefer peas, wait until the peas inside the pod are fully developed.

Method

• Harvest by gently pinching or cutting the pods off the plant, being careful not to damage the stems. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

Storage

• Short-Term: Store fresh pods in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days.
• Long-Term: Blanch peas and freeze them for later use, preserving their sweetness and flavor.

Culinary Uses

• Fresh Eating: Enjoy the crisp, sweet pods straight from the garden as a snack.
• Stir-Fries: Add to stir-fries for a light, sweet flavor that complements other vegetables.
• Steaming: Steam lightly to maintain their delicate sweetness and texture.
• Soups and Stews: Add to soups for a sweet burst of flavor.
• Freezing: Blanch and freeze peas for use throughout the year in various dishes.

Conclusion

Little Marvel peas are a wonderful choice for gardeners with limited space or those seeking a quick, high-yielding crop. With their sweet flavor, compact growth, and early harvest time, these peas are a perfect addition to any garden, whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener. Easy to grow, cold-tolerant, and highly productive, Little Marvel peas will provide fresh, delicious peas all season long.