Strike Pea lives up to its name by being the first pea to market, a compact open-pollinated variety that reaches just 12 to 24 inches tall and produces harvestable pods in a swift 55 days. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, this frost-tolerant annual thrives in cool weather and performs especially well in spring plantings when conditions favor consistent yields. Its compact growth habit makes it surprisingly at home in containers or small garden spaces, while its resistance to Fusarium Wilt provides reliable performance season after season.
Full Sun
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3-9
24in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Strike Pea arrives so early that it often reaches the table before gardeners expect it, delivering tender pods within weeks of sowing. The compact, bushy plants need minimal space and no trellising, making them unusually practical for confined gardens or container growing. Its frost tolerance means you can direct sow in early spring while soil temperatures still hover near 45 degrees Fahrenheit, capturing that narrow window when peas flourish before summer heat arrives.
Strike Pea is grown for its tender edible pods, typically picked when the peas have just begun to enlarge inside but before they mature fully. The fresh pods are best harvested young and eaten raw or lightly cooked, capturing their delicate sweetness and crisp texture at their peak.
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Direct sow Strike Pea in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, when temperatures are between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This variety germinates quickly in cool soil, allowing you to capture the ideal growing window before warm weather arrives. Plant seeds at the appropriate depth (see seedDepth field) and space 4 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Pick pods when the peas have enlarged noticeably inside but before they reach full maturity; the pods should feel plump and the peas within should be tender rather than starchy. Watch for the moment when individual peas become distinct bumps along the pod length. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production, removing pods by hand or with scissors to avoid damaging the delicate vines.
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