Description
Little Marvel Pea - Great Producer
A vigorous bushy dwarf plant 15 - 20" tall that was introduced in 1900 as Sutton's Little Marvel by Sutton and Sons of Reading, England and first sold in the US in 1908. Heavy producer of fine quality 3" pods each having 6 - 9 memorably sweet peas per pod over an extended season. Also known as Improved American Wonder or Extra Early Little Marvel.
This old dependable variety is what home gardens used to count on for their peas. Excellent fresh table quality and also very good for freezing. Holds very well on the vine and stays sweet even when fully mature.
History
Heirloom peas or garden peas originated in middle Asia, from northwest India through Afghanistan and adjacent areas. A second area of development lies in the Near East, and a third includes the plateau and mountains of Ethiopia.
Heirloom peas were one of the most widely grown vegetables of northern Europe during the Middle ages, as their description and cultivation was evident in almost every early gardening or agricultural book of any language in middle and northern Europe.
Uses
Green peas are used fresh, cooked, frozen or canned. Dry peas are cooked whole or split.
Growing Tip
The most important thing to know about growing peas is that they cannot stand hot weather. If you live in a warm climate, fall and even winter planting can be fine. Some southern gardeners sow in fall and let the seeds lie dormant in winter so that they can sprout as early as possible in the spring in order to beat the heat. Remember peas can be planted in early spring and be one of your first crops producing.
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