Description
50 Seeds per pack
Maestro Shelling Pea (A.K.A. Improved Alaska) – Shelling Pea
Days to Maturity: 58–63 Days
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Botanical Name: (Pisum sativum)
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Maestro is a compact shelling pea bred as an improved version of the Early Alaska variety. It offers sweeter flavor, enhanced disease resistance, and dependable yields, quickly becoming a favorite among home gardeners.
Maestro plants grow 24–27″ tall and do best in full sun, though they can tolerate light shade. They produce 3½–4½” pods packed with 8 to 12 uniform, dark green peas that are easy to shell, mature evenly, and are well-suited for fresh eating, cooking and preservation. These peas thrive in raised beds, borders, or traditional rows. These are not a true self-supporting type, so while staking isn’t strictly necessary, using a trellis or fence helps the plants stay upright and makes harvesting easier.
The peas have a mild, sweet flavor and tender texture. For the best taste and texture, harvest just before the peas are fully developed. Great in stir-fries, soups, and pasta dishes, or simply steamed as a side. Maestro also freezes and cans beautifully, making it an excellent choice for long-term storage.
Rich in vitamins C, K, and A, plus B vitamins and folate, Maestro brings both flavor and nutrition to your plate. It’s a top pick for both home gardeners and market growers!
Disease Resistance: Powdery Mildew, Pea Enation Mosaic Virus, Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus, and Common Wilt.
Planting Instructions for Maestro Pea Seeds
Maestro peas are a cool-weather crop that like well-drained soil and plenty of organic matter to assist with moisture retention. Direct sow peas as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
Plant pea seeds in full sun, 1–1½″ deep, 1–2″ apart, in rows 18–24″ apart. Maestro pea seeds should germinate in 6–14 days at temperatures between 45–75°F. There is no need to thin plants. Provide a trellis or other support for climbing varieties.
Heirloom/Open-Pollinated Bush Pea varieties usually do fine with a short trellis or by planting in a block so the pea plants support each other.
Harvest Maestro Shelling Peas when the pods are full and plump and the peas are tender. Harvest Heirloom/Open-Pollinated Snap Peas when the pods start filling out but are not yet fully mature. For Snow Peas, harvest when the pods are approximately 3″ long and still flat, before the seeds start to fill out.
FAQ:
What is the historical or notable background of Maestro Shelling Pea?
Maestro was developed as an improved version of the classic Early Alaska pea, bred for sweeter flavor, stronger disease resistance, and more reliable performance. It has since become a favorite among home gardeners looking for a dependable and easy-to-grow shelling pea.
How would you describe the flavor profile of Maestro Shelling Pea?
Maestro peas are known for their mild, sweet flavor and tender texture. They’re perfect for eating fresh and cooking, making them a versatile choice in the kitchen.
What does Maestro Shelling Pea look like, and what are it's growing habits?
This variety grows into compact plants about 24–27 inches tall, producing long, slender 3½ to 4½-inch pods. Each pod is tightly packed with 8 to 12 dark green peas that are uniform in size and easy to shell. The plants benefit from light support to stay upright, especially when heavily loaded with pods.
How much can I expect to harvest from Maestro Shelling Peas, and when is the best time to pick them?
Maestro is known for reliable, heavy yields, with each plant producing a large number of well-filled pods. For best flavor and texture, harvest the peas when the pods are plump but before they start to over-mature. The peas should fill the pod but still feel tender, not firm or starchy.
What climate conditions are ideal for growing Maestro Shelling Pea?
Maestro prefers cool-weather conditions and does best when planted in the spring or fall. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate some light shade, and grows well in raised beds or traditional rows with well-drained, organic-rich soil.
What are the common culinary uses for Maestro Shelling Pea?
These peas are great fresh, or added to soups, stir-fries, pasta, and rice dishes. Their delicate sweetness also makes them ideal for steaming or lightly sautéing as a side dish.
What’s the best way to store and use Maestro Shelling Peas after harvest?
Shell the peas shortly after picking for the best taste and texture. Store them in the refrigerator for a few days, or preserve them by blanching and freezing. Maestro also cans well using a pressure canner, making it easy to enjoy your harvest throughout the year.
What vitamins or nutrients does Maestro Shelling Pea contain?
Maestro peas are packed with nutrition, offering high levels of vitamins C, K, and A, along with B vitamins and folate. They’re a great source of fiber and antioxidants, supporting everything from immune health to digestion.
Does Maestro Shelling Pea have any notable disease resistance?
Yes, Maestro is bred with resistance to several common pea diseases, including Powdery Mildew, Pea Enation Mosaic Virus, Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus, and Common Wilt, making it a dependable and low maintenance choice for most home gardens.
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Gail Olsen (verified owner) –
All my favorites from one shop is a time saver. Fast shipping and good value.
Sherri (verified owner) –
We love buying St Clare seeds, We feel we get quality seeds.What drew us to buy St Clare seeds ,we were looking for pure clean heirloom seeds with no spraying on our seeds also we loved their stance for our Lord and Nation and those are the businesses we look to support. This is my 3rd purchase from them as we expand our variety and we have been very please with the success of their seeds. We had great success with our peas also there packaging is great as well as shipped in a timely manner
Joseph Davis (verified owner) –
Thank you for the extra sample packet of pea seeds. Your service was prompt and my order was correct and complete. Also the hand written note on the invoice was a great touch and something that is missing from the world anymore. Customer service and concern for the customer is almost nonexistent anymore. I will always do my shopping with y’all from this year forward. Thanks again
Anonymous (verified owner) –
This was my first year with this variety. They did well considering the poor growing season we had. Glad I got them in the ground early!
William Tietz (verified owner) –
Always have good luck with this species.
Rachelle Coleman (verified owner) –
Growing well. Coming along nicely.
Chris (verified owner) –
I’m planting them next spring
dkrich5000 (verified owner) –
These are our favorite peas for flavor, abundance & easy to grow.
Wanda (verified owner) –
Great tasting Beans, grow really well.
Stephanie (verified owner) –
Produced a lot of peas. Unfortunately I was away during harvest time and most of them will be planted next year.
K Johnson (verified owner) –
My favorite peas. I just pulled out the plants from spring. They have produced all along. They have excellent disease resistance and are basically care free. The taste is superior to other peas in my opinion and freeze well. And they have at least 8 peas per pod sometimes 10. If you plant early you can get 2 crops per season in the Midwest. What’s not to like?
Joanne Meyer (verified owner) –
Mine are over 6ft tall still flowering and full of beautiful peas. Its almost July and if this keeps up we’ll be harvesting for weeks more.
Robert D. (verified owner) –
Patricia Stone (verified owner) –
Excellent!