Dakota

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

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

Sweet, garden-fresh pods give way to peas with a vivid, candy-bright snap and a tender, buttery bite—ideal for shelling at peak sweetness.

Dakota is a shelling pea for gardeners who love a reliable harvest rhythm, producing well-filled pods that hold their flavor through the season. Grow Dakota for spoonfuls of green goodness in classic shelling-pea preparations, from quick simmered sides to vibrant purées and hearty soups.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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Dakota 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 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
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

Dakota is built for eating right at shelling time: the peas stay sweet and tender, with enough structure to hold their shape after a short simmer. For best results, treat them gently—quick heat, good salt, and brightness (lemon) so the candy-green flavor doesn’t dull.

Best Uses

quick simmer and serve peas as a glossy side with butter and salt
shell-to-pot soups and purees (blend smooth or keep a few whole for contrast)
toss with lemon zest and olive oil for a warm, spoonable salad
stir into rice or pasta for peas that stay sweet rather than turning starchy

Flavor Profile

candy-bright sweetness snap-first, tender buttery peas light vegetal sweetness with a clean green finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon olive oil fresh mint parmesan ham or pancetta

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease or pest is most likely on Pisum sativum (pea) and how can I control it in my garden?

Pea plants commonly suffer from powdery mildew (white, dusty growth on leaves) in cool, humid weather. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily affected leaves, then spray with an approved sulfur-based fungicide early when symptoms first appear. Watch also for pea aphids—if you see clusters on new growth, rinse them off with a strong water jet and use insecticidal soap if numbers rebound.

How often should I water Pisum sativum during the main growing phase?

Water peas deeply about 1–2 times per week so the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially from flowering through pod filling. Aim for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total (from rain plus irrigation), increasing slightly if beds dry quickly. Keep the soil surface from crusting—consistent moisture helps prevent poor pod set and misshapen pods.

How do I know when Dakota peas (Pisum sativum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are full but still tender—typically around 55 days to maturity—so peas inside are sweet and just starting to fill the pod. Pick in the morning and check pods every 1–2 days during peak harvest; leaving pods to over-ripen makes the plant slow down and reduces sweetness. Pods should snap crisply rather than feel tough or fibrous when bent.