VegetablePea
Green Arrow Pea
Shelling Pea
Green Arrow peas bring a beloved English heritage to your garden, having been treasured as a gourmet variety in Europe for years before winning over American gardeners. These prolific shelling peas mature in 60-70 days across zones 1-9, producing abundant harvests of 4 to 4.5-inch pods that grow in elegant pairs on sturdy 24 to 36-inch plants. Each emerald-green pod holds 8 to 11 plump, petite peas with exceptional sweet flavor that shines whether eaten fresh, frozen, or cooked.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/pea-green-arrow-treated)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
1-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam, Moderately Rich
Preferred Temp50-75°F
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush - Compact Growth
Spacing
4-6 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
1-9
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This English heirloom stands out for its remarkable productivity and early maturity, making it perfect for gardeners eager for spring's first harvest. The long, slim pods develop in pairs on strong vines that resist both powdery mildew and fusarium wilt, ensuring reliable crops even in challenging conditions. What truly sets Green Arrow apart is its versatility: the sweet, tender peas excel fresh from the pod, maintain their vibrant color and nutrients when frozen, and add delicious substance to everything from simple boiled sides to complex pasta dishes and fresh salads.
Common Uses
Green Arrow peas shine in both simple and sophisticated preparations, from classic boiled peas served with a pat of butter to vibrant additions in pasta dishes and fresh salads. Their sweet flavor and tender texture make them excellent for steaming until just tender, preserving their bright green color and nutritional value. These peas are equally valued for canning and freezing, maintaining their quality through preservation, and they complement everything from light soups to hearty stir-fries.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
30-40 Days After Sowing
First Harvest
70-80 Days After Sowing
Last Harvest
Determinate
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds 0.5 to 1 inch deep directly outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in early spring. Seeds can be soaked 4-6 hours in warm water prior to sowing to improve germination. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days in cool conditions.
Harvesting
Harvest pods when they are firm and plump but before the peas inside become starchy, typically when pods reach 4 to 4.5 inches long. Snap pods off gently rather than twisting or pulling to avoid damaging the vines. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season. For the sweetest flavor, pick pods when they're well-filled but still tender.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Lathyrus L.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Lathyrus
History & Origin
“Green Arrow peas hail from England, where they earned recognition as a gourmet variety treasured throughout Europe for generations. This old favorite was specifically bred for early maturity and strong disease resistance, developed to thrive in cool climates and early spring planting conditions. The variety made its way to American gardens where it became widely appreciated for its versatility in both fresh eating and cooking applications.”