Green Peas

Washington produces more processing peas than any state except Minnesota. Two types are generally grown, smooth-seeded and wrinkled, with different cultivars of each adapted to specific growing regions. Smooth-seeded cultivars, also known as Alaska strains, are generally used for canning. Smooth-seeded plants produce small vines and tough seed coats and generally are lower in sugar. The wrinkled cultivars, also called ‘Little Marvel’ types, are used for canning or freezing. Generally, medium to light green cultivars are used for canning and dark green cultivars are used for freezing.

Peas are planted from early March to mid-June and harvested from the first week in June to the end of August, depending on location within the state. This staggered planting is necessary because peas mature rapidly, especially in hot weather, and must be harvested quickly once the desired point of maturity is reached. Starch content increases (and sugar content decreases) as the peas mature, and this reduces the quality of the peas. Peas are self-pollinated and harvested mechanically.

Information about growing peas can be found in the Commercial Vegetable Production Guides from Oregon State University on the web at http://www.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/beans.html. Production conditions in Washington are similar to Oregon.

Washington State University publications about peas can be found at