Pisum sativum

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Pisum sativum
AKA Garden Pea, Snap Pea, English Pea Green Pea,
Snow Pea, Pease
Adell Waldal June 3, 2004 Organic Seed Saving
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Pisum sativum Plant Characteristics Inbreeding
plants Self-pollinating perfect flowers Rarely
does out-crossing happen in nature Most
vegetable varieties have green seeds, white
flowers and wrinkled seed coats Varieties grown
for fodder, silage and meal have purple flowers,
and smooth grayish seeds
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Varieties Two major types Pisum sativum
the kind we like to eat P. arvense the
kind animals like to eat. Within these two
types there are thousands.
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History
From pisum to pisupeasepea.
Peas
were among the first cultivated crops and have
been use as a food source since ancient
times. Peas originated somewhere between the
Near East and Central Asia. Wild-type peas (Pisum
elatius) are still found in the
Mediterranean. The oldest carbon dated pea was
found in the Spirit Caves on the boarder of

Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. This pea was dated
at 9750 BCE. Other finding have been dated at
7000 BCE in Iraq, And 3,000 BCE in
Switzerland. In the Middle Ages, dried peas were
used by Europeans as a staple food crop. They
were relatively abundant and inexpensive,
providing the poor with a filling wholesome meal
through the winter months.
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When Catherine de Medici of Italy
married Henry II of France in 15 33, she
brought her favorite foods which included Piselli
novelli, A small fresh variety created in Italy
in the 14th Century. These tasty little
delicacies were a welcome change from the boring
dry peas long since relegated to peasantry and
became all the rage in Europe. In 1696 Madame
Maintenon wrote
This subject of peas continues to absorb all
others. The anxiety to eat them, The pleasure of
having eaten them and the desire to eat them
again are the great matters which have been
discussed by our princes for four days past.
Some ladies even after having supped at the
Royal Table, and well supped too, Returning to
their homes at the risk of suffering indigestion,
will again eat peas Before going to bed. It is
both a fashion and a madness.
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The Green Giant was first drawn and patented in
1924. Now Green Giant is the biggest packer
of Peas and beans Owned by Pillsbury
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Growing Requirements
Plant in early spring or late fall. The ideal
mean temp is 55-65 F Can be seeded or
transplanted as soon as the soil can be
worked (if its not too damp) Ideal soils silt
loams, sandy loams, or clay loams Optimum soil
pH 6.0 to 7.0 Inoculate with Rhyzobium
leguminosarium prior to planting Low growers
dont need a trellis and can be propped up
against one another. Tall plants should be
supported with a 6 trellis.
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Harvesting Peas of all varieties should be
harvest at least every other day. Rapidly cool
to 32 F. They should be sold as soon after
harvest as possible, as the sugar begins to turn
to starch soon after theyre off the vine.
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Only 5 are produced for fresh market.
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Fresh Markets Shelling Snap Snow
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Peas are good for you! One cup of shelled peas
has more protein than a whole egg. And contains
a good amount of Vitamin K1 Vitamin C Vitamin
A Vitamin B6 and folic acid Thiamin-Vitamin
B1 Pantothenic acid Riboflavin- Vitamin
B12 Niacin- Vitamin B3 Iron
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Two Pods are better than one But three is
just not enough.
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