Peas
60-65days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow 3-4 weeks before last frost. Plant 1 inch deep. Requires minimal support or short stakes.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, avoid overwatering
Soil
Well-drained loamy soil with good organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
2-3 inches
Height
12-18 inches
Season
Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Medium green pods with bright green peas
Size
3 inch pods with 6-8 peas each
Shape
Straight, well-filled pods
Flavour
Sweet, tender, and delicate with classic pea taste

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, cooking, soups, purees, freezing for winter storage

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Pea aphids, leafminer, thrips, slugs
Diseases
Powdery mildew, bacterial blight, damping-off, ascochyta blight
Resistance
Good general disease tolerance, moderate resistance to fusarium wilt

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyAugust – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJuly – October
4——April – JuneJune – October
5——April – MayJune – November
6——April – MayJune – November
7——March – MayMay – November
8——March – AprilMay – December
9——February – MarchApril – December
10——January – MarchMarch – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

CarrotsPeas improve soil nitrogen for carrots, while carrots don't compete for space due to different root depths
RadishesBreak up soil for pea roots and mature quickly before peas need full space
LettuceBenefits from nitrogen fixed by peas and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
SpinachThrives in nitrogen-rich soil created by peas and has similar growing requirements
MintRepels ants and rodents that may damage pea seeds and pods
ChivesDeters aphids and other pests that commonly attack pea plants
MarigoldsRepel aphids, thrips, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Bush BeansBoth fix nitrogen and have similar water and spacing requirements

Avoid

OnionsMay inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation through root exudates
GarlicAllelopathic compounds can stunt pea growth and reduce pod production
GladiolusCompetes heavily for nutrients and may harbor thrips that damage pea flowers

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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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peas growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Little Marvel?

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 Little Marvel suits these too.

Browse all 35 peas