Description
50 Seeds per pack
Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea
Days to Maturity: 60–70 Days
Sun Requirements: Full sun to very light shade.
Botanical name: (Pisum sativum)
Dating back to before 1773, ‘Dwarf Grey Sugar’ is one of the oldest known snow pea varieties still in cultivation. It was first offered commercially in 1892 by D.M. Ferry & Company and remains popular to this day for its adaptability and heavy yields. Though often mistaken for a snap pea, it’s truly a multipurpose pea—suitable for use as a snow, snap, or dry pea. Tolerant of heat and cold, it adapts well to a range of growing conditions and performs reliably in the home garden.
Plants are compact and somewhat bushy, reaching 12–24″ in height. While staking isn’t necessary, a bit of support helps keep the pods off the ground, making harvests cleaner and more manageable.
The plants bloom with pale, bi-colored flowers in shades of white, pink, and soft purple, which give way to tender, curved pods measuring 2–3″ long. These light green, stringless pods are sweet and crisp when young, staying tender even as the peas begin to swell. If left to fully mature, the pods will develop fibrous strings that must be removed—just like traditional snap beans—before cooking.
An excellent choice for raw snacking, stir fries, and fresh salads, these peas also hold up beautifully to light cooking. Allow them to mature for a more developed texture, or let them dry fully for use in hearty soups. Excellent for freezing after blanching, they keep their sweet flavor and tender texture for use in cooked dishes down the road.
Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with folate, making it a healthy addition to any garden.
Disease Resistance: Fusarium Wilt.
Planting Instructions for Dwarf Grey Sugar Pea Seeds
Dwarf Grey Sugar peas are a cool-weather crop that like well-drained soil and plenty of organic matter to assist with moisture retention. Direct sow Dwarf Grey Sugar 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. Dwarf Grey Sugar 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 Heirloom/Open-Pollinated 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 Heirloom/Open-Pollinated 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 Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea?
Dwarf Grey Sugar dates back to before 1773, making it one of the oldest snow pea varieties still in cultivation. It was first offered commercially in 1892 by D.M. Ferry & Company and remains a beloved heirloom for its adaptability and reliability.
Q: What does Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea look like, and what are its growing habits?
Dwarf Grey Sugar snow peas are sweet and crisp when young, offering a tender bite that holds up well raw or lightly cooked. As the peas mature, they develop a deeper texture and nutty sweetness, especially when dried.
What does Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea look like, and what are its growing habits?
This compact, bushy plant grows 12–24″ tall with lovely pale bi-colored blooms in white, pink, and soft purple. It produces light green, curved, stringless pods that are 2–3″ long and tender when young.
How much can I expect to harvest, and when is the best time to pick Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea?
A: Dwarf Grey Sugar stands out because it can be harvested at three distinct stages. For snow peas, pick the pods when they’re flat and around 2–3″ long. If allowed to mature slightly and the peas begin to swell, they can be enjoyed like snap peas—still sweet and crisp, but with a fuller bite. For dry use, let the pods fully mature and dry on the vine, then shell for hearty soups and stews.
When is the best time to plant Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea?
Dwarf Grey Sugar is a cool-weather crop ideal for planting in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. While it can be sown as soon as the soil is workable, waiting until the soil has warmed slightly often leads to more vigorous growth. It performs best in temperatures between 45–75°F.
What are the common culinary uses for Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea?
Excellent raw in salads or as snacks, these peas also shine in stir fries, lightly sautéed dishes. Mature or dried peas are great in soups.
xcellent raw in salads or as snacks, these peas also shine in stir fries, lightly sautéed dishes, or added to soups. Mature or dried peas are great in heartier meals.
For best flavor retention, blanch and freeze the pods shortly after harvest. This method preserves their sweet taste and tender-crisp texture for future use in cooked dishes.
What nutrients does Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea provide?
This variety is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate—making it a nutritious addition to your meals.
Does Dwarf Grey Sugar – Snow Pea have any notable disease resistance?
Yes, Dwarf Grey Sugar snow pea is resistant to Fusarium Wilt, which enhances its reliability and and helps keep the garden healthy.
Bob D. (verified owner) –
Plants are doing well. Great value.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Well packaged
Joyce B. (verified owner) –
Right on time and exactly what I ordered.
mary C. (verified owner) –
I gifted my daughter with their growing of these wonderful peas but I shared in their deliciousness – even straight from the vine!
Katcha and Bill Sanderson (verified owner) –
This variety just did not grow well for us. The blossoms are lovely but that didn’t make up for lack of production! They also went from small flat pod to fat with peas in a blink so were not as useful for stir fry etc. Will return to Mammoth Melting variety and give those the room and support they need.
RoseMary J. (verified owner) –
All the cucumber seeds were healthy looking and sprouted well. The seeds had clearly been sorted to provide customers with only the best.