Sunfire

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sunfire peas burst with a bright, sunlit sweetness—tender, plump kernels that feel buttery-smooth in the pod and shell cleanly for a satisfying harvest.

Expect a classic shelling texture: crisp when fresh, then gently yielding when cooked, with a vivid green color that stays inviting. Grow Sunfire for peak flavor at about 60 days, and enjoy its abundance in springtime bowls, hearty soups, and vibrant vegetable mixes.

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

Sunfire is a shelling pea built for speed: the kernels go from snappy to custardy in minutes, staying sweet and vividly green. Use it in butter and broth or steam-sauté with lemon and you’ll get that buttery-smooth mouthfeel without dulling the pea’s fresh brightness.

Best Uses

quick-sauté in butter with a splash of water to steam-tenderize
tossing into spring risotto or pasta for clean, starchy gloss
blending into a silky pea soup or puree with olive oil
folding into omelets or frittatas so the kernels stay bright

Flavor Profile

bright, sunlit sweetness fresh snap to tender yielding bite vivid green, mildly grassy pea flavor buttery-smooth kernel texture when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mint parmesan olive oil chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pea (Pisum sativum) pest or disease problem, and how can I address it?

Powdery mildew is a frequent problem on Pisum sativum, showing as a white, dusty coating on leaves, especially in humid or crowded conditions. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil line (not overhead), and remove heavily infected leaves early. If it’s spreading, apply a labeled sulfur-based fungicide according to the label when you first see symptoms, and stop treatments once plants begin to decline heavily.

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

During flowering and pod fill (roughly weeks 4–8), keep the soil evenly moist so pods develop well—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than light daily watering, and check that the top 1–2 inches of soil are moist before watering again. Letting the soil fully dry out between waterings can cause poor pod set and smaller pods.

How do I tell when Pisum sativum (Sunfire) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are plump and peas inside are well-filled but still tender—typically around 60 days from sowing for this type. Pick every 1–2 days once pods start producing, because Pisum sativum can quickly become starchy and tough if left on the vine too long. For snap or edible-pod peas, harvest pods while they’re crisp and just showing full size, before the pod surface toughens.