Alaska

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, cool-season pods of Alaska open to reveal plump, bright-green peas with a crisp snap and a gently sugary finish.

The kernels hold their shape beautifully for shelling, delivering a tender yet satisfying bite that shines in classic market-style pea preparations. Grow Alaska for reliable performance and a harvest window that makes it easy to fill your garden with fresh, garden-fresh flavor at peak sweetness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Alaska’s kernels are built for speed: shell, cook briefly, and they stay bright-green and snappy instead of turning to mush. That clean, lightly sweet flavor loves butter-lemon and quick finishes—add dairy and aromatics late so the peas keep their bite.

Best Uses

shell-and-sauté with browned butter and a squeeze of lemon
quick-cook in light broth for a spoonable side
fold into spring risotto or creamy polenta at the very end
toss into a warm grain salad where they keep their bite

Flavor Profile

bright, gently sugary pea sweetness crisp snap when fresh tender, uniform kernels that hold their shape clean green/grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mint garlic parmesan burrata

Frequently Asked Questions

Alaska crop has spots on leaves—what pest or disease is this likely and how do I treat it?

Small, circular gray-brown lesions that spread on leaves are often an early sign of fungal leaf spot. Remove and discard the worst leaves, then water at the base only and space plants to keep foliage dry. If it keeps spreading, spray a copper-based fungicide according to the label, repeating every 7–10 days during wet spells.

How often should I water Alaska during the main growing phase (about weeks 2–6)?

Keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist, which usually means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and rainfall. Water deeply until the soil is soaked to 4–6 inches, then let the top inch dry slightly before the next watering to prevent rot and stress. Mulch around plants helps stabilize moisture, but don’t mound mulch against stems.

How can I tell when Alaska is ready to harvest at 55 days?

Harvest when plants reach full size and the edible parts are firm and at their labeled maturity—avoid waiting for over-softening or shriveling. For most garden types labeled “Alaska,” check frequently in the final week: the best time to pick is when they feel crisp/tight and hold shape when gently pressed. If you can’t judge by size, use the 55-day mark from sowing as your deadline and confirm by firmness.