Green Arrow is a three-foot tall shell pea that has earned its place as a commercial standard for over a century, and home gardeners still rely on it for dependable harvests of sweet, easy-to-shell peas in just 68 days. This frost-tolerant variety thrives in cool spring soil, germinating reliably between 45 and 75°F, and reaches maturity quickly enough to fit into most growing seasons. The pods crack open with satisfying ease, revealing tender peas that taste like spring itself. Plant in full sun with soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5, spacing plants 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches wide, and you'll have fresh peas for the table or the freezer before summer heat arrives.
Full Sun
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36in H x 12in W
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Low
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Green Arrow delivers the shelling ease that commercial growers have counted on for generations, combined with genuine flavor that reminds you why homegrown peas taste nothing like frozen grocery store versions. Its three-foot frame gives you plenty of pod-bearing stems without excessive sprawl, and the variety handles spring's variable conditions with quiet reliability. The real appeal lies in how straightforward this pea is to grow and harvest; for gardeners who want results without fussy babying, it simply works.
Green Arrow peas are shelled fresh for eating raw or cooked, steamed as a simple vegetable side, or blanched and frozen for winter use. The sweet pods yield tender peas that work equally well in spring risottos, pasta dishes, stir-fries, or simply buttered and salted as a vegetable course. Their reliable productivity makes them a kitchen-garden staple for anyone who wants abundant fresh peas without complicated varieties.
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Sow Green Arrow seeds directly outdoors as soon as the soil is workable in spring, when conditions are cool. Seeds germinate reliably between 45 and 75°F, making early spring the ideal window. Space seeds 4 inches apart in rows set 18 inches apart. The variety tolerates frost, so there is no need to wait for the last frost date; early sowing gives you a longer harvest window.
Pick pods when they are plump and filled with tender peas, typically 68 days after sowing. Harvest while pods still have a slight give to the touch; overmature pods become starchy and tough. Pinch or cut pods from the vine rather than pulling, to avoid damaging the plant and interrupting further flowering. Check plants every two to three days during peak season, as peas mature quickly once they reach eating size, and frequent picking encourages continued pod production.
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“Green Arrow emerged from decades of selection for commercial pea production, where reliability and ease of shelling became paramount. It has persisted as a standard in commercial agriculture precisely because it performs consistently across different growing regions and conditions. Seed companies continue to list it as one of the old standards still trusted by professional growers, a testament to its enduring genetics and proven performance. For home gardeners, it represents the practical wisdom of farmers who needed peas they could depend on.”