Austrian Pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense)

Austrian Pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense) Net wt  ~30 seeds. 

A hardy, nitrogen-fixing annual grown for both food and soil building. Vigorous 60–90 cm vines bloom with purple-pink flowers, attracting pollinators. Enjoy tender shoots and young pods, or let pods mature and dry for soup peas.  Austrian pea is also known for producing significant amounts of nitrogen, great winter hardiness and survives most winters, and for controlling erosion through winter. It is also a good source of feed. 

Direct sow in early spring (April–May) as soon as soil can be worked, or late summer (Aug–early Sept) for a fall crop. Plant 2.5–4 cm (1–1½”) deep, 5–8 cm (2–3″) apart, with rows 30–45 cm (12–18″) apart in full sun. Germinates in 7–14 days in cool soils (as low as 1–2°C); plants tolerate light frosts to about −4°C. Harvest June–July or Oct–Nov; collect dry seed when pods brown.  Chigarden 2026