Iona

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, vivid pods with a crisp snap—Iona Petit Pois delivers a garden-to-plate burst of fresh pea flavor at about 60 days.

The compact plants produce slender, tender pods packed with plump, uniformly sized peas that stay sweet and crisp for quick harvests. Ideal for fresh eating, light steaming, and vibrant springtime salads, Iona is a standout choice when you want petite, flavorful peas with a clean, delicate texture.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

Iona Petit Pois are small and uniform, built for speed: cook them just until they turn glossy, and they’ll keep their crisp snap instead of going starchy. The sweetness and clean green finish love butter-lemon brightness and salty fats like prosciutto or parmesan.

Best Uses

quick sauté or flash stir-fry to keep the snap
light steam and dress with butter, lemon, and flaky salt
toss into spring salads where they stay crisp
stir through thin soups for a fresh pea pop

Flavor Profile

sweet, vivid pea flavor clean snap with a tender bite light, green-herb finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon fresh mint parmesan prosciutto crème fraîche

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease on Pisum sativum (pea) and how do I manage it?

Powdery mildew often shows up on peas as a white, dusty coating on leaves and can reduce yields by stressing plants. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily infected leaves, then water at the base early in the day (avoid wetting foliage). If it’s spreading, use an appropriate sulfur-based or potassium bicarbonate fungicide according to the label and repeat as directed during humid stretches.

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

During flowering and pod fill (roughly after plants establish until harvest), keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times per week in hot weather or during dry spells—aim for the top few inches to stay damp. If the soil dries fully between waterings, peas can abort flowers and make smaller pods.

How do I know when Pisum sativum is ready to harvest?

Harvest snap peas when pods are firm, bright, and about 2–3 in (5–7 cm) long, with peas inside near full size but still tender. For shelling peas, pick when pods are well-filled and the peas look plump and glossy; avoid waiting for hard, starchy peas. Check every 1–2 days once plants start producing, because peas quickly transition from tender to tough if left too long.