When to Pick Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas

Description

• The Dwarf Grey is a variety of snow pea distinguished by its tender pods and colorful flowers and foliage. Unlike many other pea varieties, it exhibits red or purple flowers, purple-gray-tinged leaves and hints of red throughout the plant. Plants reach just 2 to 3 feet in height and are considered a dwarf type; edible pods will reach 2 to 3 inches long. Monitor the pods for readiness once they're almost at that size. Plant peas in early spring or mid-summer so the growing plants can avoid the hottest parts of the summer.

When to Harvest Peas

• Dwarf Grey Sugar peas are ready for harvesting about 65 days after emergence from the seed. For spring plantings, this will likely occur in June; mid-summer plantings will ripen in fall. Like all snow peas, the entire pod is edible along with the seeds inside. Pick the pods before their seeds grow plump or mature. Ready pods are thin, flat and flexible, with traces of peas inside. When it comes to snow peas, the best picking time is within a narrow window of time, so check the pods every few days, and conduct a taste test when harvest time is near. Picking too late can result in tough, fibrous pods.

Pea Shoots

• Snow pea pods are usually the desired part, but the Dwarf Grey Sugar offers a quick, tasty harvest of tender shoots, as well. Pea shoots are the new growth found near the top of the plant and includes leaves and tendrils. Select young, tender shoots that are bright green and fresh-looking. Shoots may include the tip leaves, attached tendrils and larger leaves and blossoms. They are available sooner than the pods, in a matter of weeks from the planting date, and provide a continuous weekly harvest thereafter.

Harvest and Uses

• Harvest snow peas by removing the pods as they mature, which encourages continuous production. Alternatively, you can harvest the entire plant at once by cutting at the base and picking every pod. Keep them chilled immediately after harvest. Harvest pea shoots by cutting the top, young growth as desired. Snow peas are versatile in the kitchen and are often added to salads, stir-fries and other vegetable dishes. They serve well for snacks and appetizers and can be added to soups and meat dishes, as well. Use pea shoots as raw greens in salads, or add them to soups and cooked dishes near the end of cooking time.