Organic Green Arrow Shelling Pea

Organic Green Arrow shelling pea start

Green Arrow is a certified-organic potted pea start grown for full pods containing sweet green peas. Unlike a snap pea, the fibrous pod is opened and the peas inside are harvested for fresh eating or cooking. Its vining habit benefits from a trellis, netting, or stakes placed early in the crop.

• Plant form: Live vegetable transplant in an approximately 2.75-inch pot
• Organic status: Certified organic by CCOF
• Crop type: Open-pollinated cool-season annual
• Catalog zones: 3–9; plant according to local frost and heat patterns
• Estimated maturity: Approximately 65–75 days under suitable conditions
• Light: Full sun to partial sun
• Pollination: Self-fertile flowers; a second pea variety is not needed

Establishment and support

Acclimate the start to outdoor conditions, then transplant without disturbing the roots more than necessary. Keep the crown at soil level, water thoroughly, and guide new tendrils onto a support. Peas prefer cool weather, consistent moisture, and soil that drains after irrigation. Mulch can limit weeds and moderate the shallow root zone.

Pods are ready for shelling when they feel rounded and the peas inside are developed but still tender. Pick every few days, supporting the vine with your other hand. Overmature peas become starchy, while undersized pods yield little. Once sustained heat stops flowering, remove declining vines and rotate future legumes with unrelated crops.

Use the pea planting article to refine local timing, and browse more organic vegetable and herb plants.

At the end of harvest, remove declining vines and clean reusable support material. The purchased start is certified organic; certification of any later crop depends on the grower's continuing practices and records.