Progress #9

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant in the garden, Progress #9 shelling peas deliver a bright, garden-fresh flavor with a tender, juicy bite.

At maturity, the pods carry plump peas that hold their sweetness and cook up with a smooth, velvety texture—ideal for classic shelling and for spoonable sauces, soups, and quick pickles. Grow them for a steady harvest window around 60 days, when the plants are at their most vibrant and productive.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Bush

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	Bush
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

Progress #9 shelling peas are built for that sweet, watery pop that turns creamy once heated—so don’t overcook them or they lose the juicy snap. Shell them and treat them like timing-sensitive luxury: quick heat, a knob of butter, and a squeeze of lemon will spotlight the tender, velvety texture.

Best Uses

shell-and-eat fresh peas straight from the bowl with butter and flaky salt
quick-sautéed peas for 2–3 minutes to keep them glossy and tender
spoonable pea purée or “pea velouté” to cloak pastas and roast chicken
fast pickled peas for crunchy, bright snacking

Flavor Profile

sweetly fragrant pea flavor tender, juicy bite cooks to a smooth, velvety texture light grassy snap with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

unsalted butter lemon mint parmesan shallot prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Pisum sativum (garden pea), and how do I treat it?

Watch for pea aphids and powdery mildew. Spray pea aphids off with a strong water jet early, and if they persist use an insecticidal soap; for powdery mildew, improve airflow by spacing plants and remove heavily infected leaves, then avoid wetting the foliage when watering.

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

During active flowering and pod filling, keep soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but do not let plants wilt, since dry spells can reduce pod size and seed fill.

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

Start harvesting when pods are full and firm and the peas inside have reached the typical size for your seed packet, usually about 60 days from sowing. Pick frequently (every 1–2 days) while pods are still glossy and before the peas start to look starchy or the pods lose their crispness.