Peas
65-75days to harvest
7-14days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Moderatedifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Plant 2 inches deep and provide tall, sturdy support structures.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, especially during pod development
Soil
Rich, well-drained loamy soil with good 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 bright green peas
Size
4-5 inch pods
Shape
Large, curved shelling pea pods
Flavour
Sweet, meaty, and rich with classic pea flavor

In the kitchen

Fresh shelling, soups, purees, freezing, traditional British mushy peas

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Aphids, pea moth, pea weevil, birds
Diseases
Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, ascochyta blight, root rot
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common pea diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyAugust – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJuly – October
4——April – JuneJuly – 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.

CarrotsCarrots help break up soil for pea roots and don't compete for nitrogen
RadishesQuick-growing radishes loosen soil and can be harvested before peas need the space
LettuceProvides ground cover to keep soil cool and moist, doesn't compete for nutrients
SpinachCool-season companion that benefits from nitrogen fixed by pea roots
CucumbersCan climb pea trellises after harvest and benefit from residual nitrogen in soil
MintRepels ants and rodents that may eat pea seeds and pods
MarigoldsDeter aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects
ChivesRepel aphids and improve overall garden health without competing for space

Avoid

OnionsCan inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation due to sulfur compounds
GarlicMay stunt pea growth and interfere with beneficial root bacteria
GladiolusCompetes heavily for nutrients and can inhibit pea pod development

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 Telephone?

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 Telephone suits these too.

Browse all 35 peas