Laxton's Progress No. 9

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet as spring air, Laxton's Progress No.

9 brings a steady harvest of plump, tender peas with a clean, bright flavor and a beautifully yielding bite. The pods carry generously filled shells that look as inviting as they taste—ideal for shelling when you want that classic, garden-fresh sweetness in every spoonful. Grow it for reliable performance and a satisfying, bountiful rhythm through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of Laxton's Progress No. 9

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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
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

Laxton’s Progress No. 9 shelling peas hold their tenderness without turning grainy, so you can cook them fast and still get that sweet, yielding bite. They’re happiest with bright acid and butter—let them stay green and just warmed, not stewed.

Best Uses

quick-boil and toss with brown butter and a squeeze of lemon
shell-and-simmer for a silky pea soup with a light cream finish
fold into warm rice or buttered pasta to keep the peas intact
blanch and chill, then shake with olive oil, mint, and flaky salt

Flavor Profile

clean, bright sweetness tender, yielding bite snap-to-starch transition that stays pleasant subtle green-pea earthiness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon brown butter mint parmesan garlic prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Pisum sativum (garden peas) and how can I control it?

Watch for powdery mildew and pea aphids during warm, humid spells and as plants get dense. Remove badly affected leaves early and improve airflow by avoiding overhead watering; for aphids, blast them off with a strong jet of water and use insecticidal soap if numbers are increasing on new growth. If mildew becomes widespread, stop watering leaves and mulch to reduce soil splash, since spores spread easily from splashed dirt.

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

During flowering and pod fill (roughly the middle of the season), keep soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, split into smaller waterings as needed. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) are dry, because peas develop poorly if they dry out and then are soaked again. Aim water at the soil line, not the leaves, to reduce mildew.

How do I tell when Laxton's Progress No. 9 garden peas are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled but still tender: pick when peas inside are about the size of a small marble and the pods feel firm, not bulging. Start harvesting once pods begin maturing (around 70 days from sowing) and pick every 1–2 days, because delaying harvest quickly turns peas starchy and less sweet. Use or shell the same day for the best flavor and texture.