This organic Dutch heirloom is a multi-purpose pea. Purple Mist's young pods can be enjoyed as snow peas, or the pods can be left to develop their unusual purple colour for mid-season shelling peas. Once the peas have fully matured inside the pod, they can be shelled and dried and used as soup peas all winter long. The 1.5-2m (5-6') tall vines should be trellised and can be enjoyed as a striking ornamental, too. Purple Mist organic pea seeds are not enation resistant.
Matures in 80-85 days
West Coast Seeds Purple Mist Organic Peas Seeds, Per Package
Starting
Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm (1″) deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm (2″) deep. Space seeds 2-7cm (1-3″) apart in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
Timing
Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C (50-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
Harvest
Pick when pods at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking. Make multiple sowings or grow several varieties to extend the harvest season.
