Austrian Winter Pea is a versatile and hardy, cold-tolerant legume with with delicate, lacy vines, vibrant green foliage, and charming purple blooms. Loved for its ability to thrive in cooler temperatures, Austrian Winter supplies a protein rich and delicious food source all winter long. It is also a perfect cover crop that grows vigorously through the winter, enriching the soil with nitrogen and improving its overall structure. Austrian Winter Pea is highly valued by gardeners and farmers for its dual purpose as a forage crop, providing nutritious, protein-rich food for livestock, and as a fresh, tender vegetable for the kitchen. Its young shoots, flowers, and peas are all edible, adding a sweet, delicate flavor to salads, soups, and stir-fries. The plant is easy to grow, requires minimal maintenance, and is delicious for microgreens, stir-fry preparations, or snacking in the garden! Peas are at their sweetest and most flavorful when harvested at their peak ripeness. Whether you’re looking for a delicious, nutrient-packed food source or a hardworking cover crop, growing this resilient and beautiful plant at home is a reward for gardeners of all levels.

Also Known As: Winter Pea, Austrian Field Pea, Austrian Pea, Winter Legume, Forage Pea, Cover Crop Pea, Pea Cover Crop, Pisum Sativum, Green Pea, Hardy Pea.

Plant Name: Pea, Austrian Winter English
Latin Name: Pisum sativum subsp. arvense
Days to Germinate: 3-10
Days to Harvest: 60
Plant Height: 2 - 3 Feet
Spread: 12 - 18 Inches
Growth Habit: Vining
USDA Zones: 2-11
Lifespan: Annual
Brand: TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO: No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No
Seeds Packed For**: 2026
*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of a low-nitrogen fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a low-nitrogen fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. If choosing to plant double rows, or in pairs, form rows 18-24 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Peas are cold-hardy ang grow best in cool temperatures between 55F-75F. Direct-sowing is recommended. Plant peas in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked and soil temperatures reach 45F, about 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in spring. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 8-10 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 3 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, plant 2-3 seeds per hole, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	3 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Water especially during flowering and pod formation. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once plants start forming pods, you may optionally apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Peas can be harvested when the pods are plump but still tender, typically 60–70 days after planting. Shelling peas are ready when the pods are firm, bright green, and the peas inside have reached their full size but are still tender. To avoid damaging the plant, hold the vine with one hand and gently pull the pod off with the other. Regular picking encourages more pod production, so check the plants daily during peak harvest. If left too long, peas become starchy and lose their sweetness.