Description
Grow the sweet, tender pods of Little Marvel Peas, a beloved heirloom variety prized for high yields and compact growth. Perfect for small gardens, this variety produces short, sturdy vines that don’t require support and yield abundant 3–4″ pods with 6–7 dark green peas each. Ideal for fresh eating or freezing, Little Marvel thrives in both spring and fall, providing an extended harvest period so you can enjoy classic garden peas throughout the season. Its frost-tolerant nature and reliable growth make it a favorite among home gardeners.
Sow outdoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost, with soil temperatures ideally between 40°–80°F, or 10–12 weeks before the first frost for a fall harvest. Harvest pods when plump for peak tenderness, and mulch soil to keep roots cool in warmer weather. With proper spacing and air circulation, you can reduce the risk of powdery mildew and ensure a long, productive season. Little Marvel Peas are a compact, high-yielding, and delicious choice for any gardener seeking classic heirloom flavor.
This packet contains 173 seeds.
Variety Info:
Days to Maturity: 55 – 60 days
Family: Fabaceae
Type: Shelling Pea (Learn more)
Native: Western Asia, Europe, and North Africa
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure: Full Sun
Plant Dimensions: 18″–24″ tall
Variety Info: 3-4″ long pods containing 6-7 dark green peas.
Attributes: Frost Tolerant
Sowing Info:
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–80°F, and again 10 to 12 weeks before your average first frost date. In mild climates, sow in fall or winter for winter harvest. Best grown in temperatures less than 85°F.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: 1″
Seed Spacing: 2″
Row Spacing: 18″
Thinning: Not required
Growing Info:
Harvesting: Shelling peas should be harvested when the pods are plump, about 3 weeks after flowering. Peas that are too mature are tough and will cause the plant to stop producing; therefore, harvest regularly when pods are at their peak. Use scissors to harvest or hold vine with one hand and pick the pods with the other; vines are fragile.
Special Care: Supporting even short vines on a short fence or trellis makes harvesting easier. Peas may also be grown in mounds on the ground. If grown on mounds, row spacing should be increased to 24″–36″. Roots must stay cool; when temperatures begin to warm, mulch soil surface to keep them cool. Powdery mildew looks like a white powder on leaves, and thrives in weather with high relative humidity and cool nights. Reduce chances of this disease by watering only in the morning and during the day. Keep leaves dry; do not water plants overhead. Provide good air circulation by proper plant spacing. Do not compost diseased plants; spores may over-winter and re-infect crops the following season. Powdery mildew is more common in the fall and choosing a resistant pea variety for fall sowing further reduces the likelihood of infection.
