Mister Big

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly fragrant pods give way to large, well-filled peas with a vivid, spring-green allure and a satisfyingly firm, juicy bite.

Mister Big’s shelling peas are bred for generous yields and a clean, dependable harvest window, making them a standout for gardeners who want bold color and substantial texture from every planting. Enjoy them fresh from the pod for bright garden flavor, or let their sweetness shine in classic pea purées, hearty soups, and vibrant sides.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Climbing

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Climbing
Support Needed	Trellis
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

Mister Big shelling peas deliver a confident sweet taste with a juicy, firm bite—built to stay green after heat and still puree to a smooth, spoon-thick texture. Choose them for last-minute cooking (they’ll keep their snap) or for purée where their mild starchiness turns buttery without turning dull.

Best Uses

quick-blanch and shock, then sauté with butter so the peas stay bright and intact
pea purée for spoonable thickness—stir until silky but not chalky
add late to soups or braises to keep the interior sweet and the skins tender
fresh shelling peas in a warm salad tossed with vinaigrette and herbs

Flavor Profile

sweet, springy pea flavor firm, juicy bite with a snappy pop fresh green aroma pleasant mild starchiness that creams into purée

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mint parmesan shallot pancetta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Pisum sativum (pea) and how can I control it?

Garden pea (Pisum sativum) commonly suffers from powdery mildew and aphids during cool-to-mild, humid periods. Space plants to improve airflow and water at the soil line (not the foliage), and remove heavily infected leaves early to slow spread. For aphids, spray a strong jet of water to knock them off and apply insecticidal soap if colonies persist.

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

During flowering and pod fill (roughly weeks after plants begin to bloom), keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow prolonged drying because it reduces pod set and seed size. Mulch lightly to moderate moisture, since pea roots are sensitive to both drought stress and waterlogged soil.

How do I know when Pisum sativum (‘Mister Big’) is ready to harvest?

Harvest peas when pods are plump and firm and the peas inside fill most of the pod, usually around 60–70 days after sowing for Pisum sativum. Pick frequently—every 1–2 days—because pods that stay too long on the vine become starchy and lose sweetness. For the best flavor, shell peas shortly after picking (early morning is ideal).