Knight

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

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Sweet and vividly green at peak shelling maturity, Knight peas burst with a tender, juicy snap and a finely textured bite that feels almost velvet on the palate.

Plants produce an abundant crop of well-filled pods, making it easy to gather a generous harvest for classic shelling—ideal for showcasing their bright flavor in simple, ingredient-forward preparations. Grow Knight for that “just-right” sweetness when the peas are at their most saturated green and delightfully crisp.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Knight 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 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Knight shelling peas hit their peak with a saturated-sweet, juicy snap—overcook them and they go soft fast. Use short heat and finish with acid (lemon) so the green stays bright and the texture stays elegantly tight.

Best Uses

quick sauté with butter and a pinch of salt to preserve the snap
blanch-and-chill pea salad where each pea holds a crisp bite
fold into risotto at the end for glossy, toothsome texture
fold through pasta with lemon zest and black pepper for a fresh, bright mouthfeel

Flavor Profile

vividly sweet pea flavor tender, juicy snap finely textured, lightly starchy bite bright, clean green finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon parmesan mint black pepper garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease issue commonly affects Pisum sativum (garden peas/‘Knight’), and how do I treat it?

A common problem is powdery mildew, which shows as a white dusty coating on pea leaves and stems in cool, humid weather. Remove the most heavily affected leaves and improve airflow by keeping plants spaced and avoiding overhead watering; if needed, use a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide and repeat as directed. Watch for pea aphids early—spray plants with a strong jet of water or use an insecticidal soap when aphids first appear.

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

During flowering and pod fill, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming for evenly moist soil 1–2 inches down without waterlogging. If the top inch of soil dries out between waterings or pods shrivel, increase to more frequent deep watering. Water at the soil line in the morning to keep pea foliage drier and reduce mildew risk.

How can I tell when Pisum sativum is ready to harvest?

Harvest pods when they are full but still tender—typically about 60 days from sowing—around the time the peas inside are just filling the pod and the pod is bright green. Gently open a pod: if the peas are glossy and reach varietal size, pick them; if peas look dull and starchy, leave a few days and check again. Pick every 1–2 days once pods start producing to keep plants from slowing down or turning tough.