Austrian Winter

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Austrian Winter to a garden.

Sweetly fragrant and richly green, Austrian Winter peas form a dense, velvety cover that feels as good as it looks—tender pods and plump peas with a clean, bright snap.

Fast to establish and steady through cool weather, this variety builds a luxuriant stand in about 50 days, making it ideal for gardeners who want reliable ground cover with a satisfying harvest-ready presence. Let the plants trail and fill in for fresh garden vigor, then turn the lush growth into a nourishing green blanket for the season ahead.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Austrian Winter

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Austrian Winter Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Austrian Winter peas are all about that fresh, fragrant snap—use them hot and fast, because overcooking turns their sweetness starchy. They shine alongside butter and lemon (or mint) where the green perfume stays crisp, not muted.

Best Uses

quick-sautéed pod-and-pea mix with butter and lemon zest
tossed into spring risotto or warm grain bowls to keep a firm bite
blanched and shocked, then folded into herby salads with a creamy dressing
stir-fried with garlic and chili for a glossy, fast-cooking side

Flavor Profile

sweet, pea-like perfume tender pods with a clean, bright snap lightly starchy but not chalky green, grassy finish that stays lively

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon garlic mint parmesan bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Austrian Winter squash leaves developing powdery white patches and how do I stop it?

Powdery mildew often shows up on older leaves as a white, dusty coating and can spread quickly in warm, dry weather with poor airflow. Remove and discard badly infected leaves, then spray foliage with a homemade baking-soda mix (1 tablespoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap per gallon of water) every 7–10 days as needed. Space plants for airflow and avoid wetting leaves during watering to slow new infections.

How often should I water Austrian Winter during the main growing phase to keep it from cracking or stalling?

During active vine growth and fruit set, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming for evenly moist soil to a depth of 6–8 inches. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, then water thoroughly—consistent moisture helps prevent fruit stress. Reduce watering slightly once fruits are fully sized to avoid watery, weak growth and to help skins cure as maturity approaches.

How can I tell when Austrian Winter squash is ready to harvest at about 50 days?

Harvest when the rind is fully tough (you can’t easily puncture it with a fingernail) and the stem has started to dry and harden. The squash color should be uniform for the variety and the fruit should feel heavy for its size. Cut with a sharp knife leaving a 2–3 inch stem; curing starts immediately after harvest for best storage.