Utrillo

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, garden-fresh peas burst with a bright, garden-green flavor and a tender, juicy snap that feels almost luminous in the pod.

Utrillo is a shelling pea for growers who want reliable harvests at about 70 days, producing well-filled pods that open to reveal uniformly sized peas with a smooth, delicate texture. Ideal for showcasing their natural sweetness in fresh shelling, and for turning into vibrant pea purées and silky sauces when you want that unmistakable green depth.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Utrillo shelling peas are built for clean, fast cooking—short heat keeps that luminous snap and sweet, green flavor intact. When you purée them, they go silky and uniform, making a sauce that tastes unmistakably fresh rather than starchy or grassy.

Best Uses

fresh shelling and eating straight off the pod
quick-sauté in butter with a little lemon for a glossy coating
blending into a silky pea purée or purée-slick sauce
stirring into risotto or pasta for vivid color and soft, even mouthfeel

Flavor Profile

sweet garden-green flavor tender, juicy snap smooth, delicate pea texture

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mint parmesan shallot crème fraîche

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Pisum sativum (peas), and what should I do?

A frequent issue is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on pea leaves and reduces pod fill. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily infected leaves, then treat early with a potassium bicarbonate or sulfur-based fungicide label-approved for edible peas. Avoid overhead watering to keep foliage drier, especially during humid, cool periods.

How often should I water Pisum sativum during peak growth (flowering and pod set), and what soil moisture level is best?

During flowering and pod set, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for an even damp feel 2–3 cm (1 in) below the surface. Water about 2–3 times per week depending on weather, increasing to more frequent watering in hot, windy conditions. Mulch lightly to reduce drying, and stop letting the soil fully dry out between waterings because that can cause flower drop and small pods.

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

Harvest when pods are fully formed but still tender: the peas inside should fill out the pod and feel sweet and plump when you gently press the pod. For sugar peas or edible-pod types, pick when pods are crisp and you can just see the peas bulging under the skin. Start harvesting around the ~70-day mark and pick every 1–2 days to prevent pods from becoming starchy and tough.