S
Stephen Albert
Guest
Not all peas are alike. If you’ve browsed seed catalogs, you may have noticed peas described as round-seeded or wrinkled-seeded. These terms refer to the appearance of the dried seed, but they also signal important differences in growth habits, sweetness, and storage. As a lifelong gardener and seed saver, I’ve grown both types and can help you choose the best for your garden.
Round peas have smooth, hard seeds that germinate well in cold, damp soil.
Wrinkled peas have a dimpled, softer seed coat and produce sweeter, tender peas.
In my Sonoma Valley garden, I plant round peas like ‘Alaska’ for the earliest spring harvest and wrinkled peas such as ‘Green Arrow’ for their exceptional sweetness. Planting a mix of both ensures an extended season and a variety of uses—early soups from round peas and fresh snacks from wrinkled ones.
Choosing between round and wrinkled peas comes down to timing and taste: round peas for early, hardy plantings; wrinkled peas for sweet, tender eating.
The post Round Peas vs. Wrinkled Peas: What’s the Difference appeared first on Harvest to Table.
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Round Peas (Smooth-Seeded)
Round peas have smooth, hard seeds that germinate well in cold, damp soil.
- Planting Advantage: Excellent for very early spring sowing when the ground is still chilly.
- Flavor: Mild and starchy rather than sweet.
- Harvest Use: Best for drying and long-term storage.
- Examples: ‘Alaska,’ ‘Feltham First,’ and many traditional field peas.
Wrinkled Peas
Wrinkled peas have a dimpled, softer seed coat and produce sweeter, tender peas.
- Planting Window: Prefer slightly warmer soil (above 45°F) for reliable germination.
- Flavor: Naturally higher sugar content, giving a sweet, fresh taste.
- Harvest Use: Ideal for eating fresh, freezing, or short-term storage.
- Examples: ‘Green Arrow,’ ‘Lincoln,’ and most modern garden pea varieties.
Growing Tips
- Early Planting: Choose round peas if you want to sow as soon as soil can be worked in late winter or very early spring.
- Sweet Harvests: Opt for wrinkled peas if flavor is your top priority and you can wait for slightly warmer soil.
- Soil Prep: Both types thrive in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost.
- Support: Provide trellises for taller varieties to maximize airflow and reduce disease risk.
My Experience and Recommendations
In my Sonoma Valley garden, I plant round peas like ‘Alaska’ for the earliest spring harvest and wrinkled peas such as ‘Green Arrow’ for their exceptional sweetness. Planting a mix of both ensures an extended season and a variety of uses—early soups from round peas and fresh snacks from wrinkled ones.
Choosing between round and wrinkled peas comes down to timing and taste: round peas for early, hardy plantings; wrinkled peas for sweet, tender eating.
The post Round Peas vs. Wrinkled Peas: What’s the Difference appeared first on Harvest to Table.
Continue reading...