Alderman
Alderman is a heirloom pea variety (Pisum sativum 'Alderman'). Harvest begins around day 70-80; seed germinates in 7-14 days. Set plants 3-4 inches apart. Grow in soil pH 6.0-7.0, zones 2-11, full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours). Plants reach 12-18 inches.

Sowing
Direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost. Requires strong trellis or support system due to height and heavy pod production.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
- Water
- 1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture throughout growing season
- Soil
- Deep, rich, well-drained soil with high organic content
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 3-4 inches
- Height
- 12-18 inches
- Season
- Cool season
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Medium green pods with large green peas
- Size
- 4.5-5 inch pods with 8-10 large peas per pod
- Shape
- Long, straight, well-filled pods with large, plump peas
- Flavour
- Rich, sweet, and meaty with excellent fresh pea flavor
In the kitchen
Premium fresh eating, excellent for freezing, soups, and gourmet cooking applications.
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Aphids, pea moths, thrips, birds (attracted to sweet peas)
- Diseases
- Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot, pea enation mosaic virus
- Resistance
- Good vigor but limited disease resistance. May be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions.
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | August – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | August – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | July – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 81
- Protein (g)
- 5.42
- Fat (g)
- 0.4
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 14.4
- Fibre (g)
- 5.7
- Sugars (g)
- 5.67
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 38
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 40
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.13
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 24.8
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.169
- Folate (µg)
- 65
- Calcium (mg)
- 25
- Iron (mg)
- 1.47
- Magnesium (mg)
- 33
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 108
- Potassium (mg)
- 244
- Zinc (mg)
- 1.24
- Selenium (µg)
- 1.8
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Alderman?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other peas with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Alderman suits these too.
- Survivor 70 days
- Mammoth Melting Sugar 70 days
- Carouby de Maussane 70 days
- Blue Podded Blauwschokker 70 days
- Wando 68 days
- Green Arrow 68 days