Alaska pea
$4.00
(Pisum sativum)
3’/1 m tall. Prolific producer of small pods, which make good shelling peas but really excel as a dry pea. Round, green seeds’ only disadvantage is that if you drop them they will roll a long ways!
Alaska was released in 1881 in England as ‘Earliest of All’ by Thomas Laxton, the legendary pea and strawberry breeder. It was brought to the United States shortly after, and soon renamed after the steamship Alaska, which held the Blue Riband at the time – the honour of having made the fastest crossing of the Atlantic. In 1884, The Rural New Yorker offered seed as a premium to encourage subscriptions. It has been popular ever since. As the names suggest, one of the earlier peas to bear and mature. 95 days to maturity.
50 seeds/packet.
In stock
Plant as soon as ground can be worked. Sow 1” deep and 2” apart, in a double row 8” wide. Trellis if necessary with twine or netting; can’t hang on to poles. Pick green shelling peas regularly to increase yields; pick dry peas when vines are drying down and seeds can no longer be dented with a fingernail. For fall planting, plant 6-8 weeks before first frost.