• Some varieties of garden peas are superior performers.Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Garden peas are one of the first crops to be planted in the spring. They tolerate cool temperatures well, and can be sown directly into the ground as soon as the soil is workable. Fairly easy to grow, garden peas will be ready to harvest approximately two months after planting.
  
  

Characteristics of Garden Peas

• Garden peas, sometimes referred to as "English peas" or "shelling peas," were originally developed in England. Garden peas are allowed to ripen in the pods and are removed by a process called "shelling," unlike sugar peas or snap peas, which have edible pods.
  
  

All-America Selections Winner

• All-America Selections (AAS) is an organization that promotes new garden seed varieties that exhibit superior garden performance based on the results of independent garden trials throughout North America. A 2000 AAS winner, 'Mr. Big' a is a variety of garden pea selected for its consistently large pods, ease of shelling, sweet flavor and high yield.
  
  

University Extension Recommendations

• Cooperative extensions of Cornell University, Utah State University, University of Illinois and University of Minnesota all recommended Green Arrow, Sparkle and Wando garden pea varieties. Green Arrow is a late season variety resistant to fusarium and powdery mildew. Wando, also a late season variety, is able to tolerate heat well, and is an excellent variety for late spring planting. Sparkle is an early variety of garden pea that is a good choice for freezing.