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Lincoln · Zones 2–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Start preparing your planting site in late winter by working compost or well-aged manure into the soil. Lincoln peas thrive in cool weather, so you'll want to direct sow seeds 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost date. In zones 3-5, this typically means mid to late March, while gardeners in zones 6-8 can plant as early as February.
Soak your Lincoln pea seeds overnight before planting to improve germination rates. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. Unlike many vegetables, peas actually prefer slightly cooler soil temperatures around 45-65°F, so don't wait for warm spring weather.
Install supports at planting time rather than waiting until plants are established. Lincoln peas reach 24-30 inches tall and benefit from trellising or pea netting. Use 4-6 foot tall supports and gently train the tendrils to climb as plants grow. This variety's vigorous climbing habit makes proper support crucial for maximum pod production.
Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization, as peas fix their own nitrogen through root nodules. Instead, focus on phosphorus and potassium by working bone meal or a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting. Side-dress with compost mid-season if plants appear pale or growth slows.
Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season, especially during flowering and pod development. Water deeply 1-2 times per week rather than daily shallow watering, which encourages shallow root development. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from stems to prevent fungal issues.
For extended harvests, make succession plantings every 10-14 days until 8-10 weeks before your first fall frost. This technique works particularly well with Lincoln's reliable germination and consistent maturity timing. Stop succession planting once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 75°F, as heat stress reduces pod production and sweet flavor.
Watch for common mistakes like planting too late in spring or overcrowding plants. Lincoln peas need good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew, especially in humid climates. Thin seedlings if they're too dense, and avoid working in the garden when plants are wet to prevent spreading diseases.
Harvesting
Harvest Lincoln peas when pods are bright green, plump, and firm to the touch, typically 65-70 days from planting. The pods should feel full but not bulging, and you should be able to clearly see the outline of individual peas inside. Perform the 'snap test' by bending the pod - properly mature pods will snap cleanly rather than bend.
Harvest in early morning when pods are crisp and sugar content is highest. Pick pods with a gentle twisting motion, supporting the vine with your other hand to avoid damaging the plant. Lincoln's pods don't all mature simultaneously, so check plants every 2-3 days during peak season.
Start harvesting from the bottom of the plant and work upward, as lower pods mature first. Properly harvested Lincoln plants will continue producing for 2-3 weeks. The pods should make a slight 'pop' when you open them, and the peas inside should be bright green and sweet. If peas have started to fade to pale green or feel starchy, they're past prime eating quality but still suitable for drying.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Lincoln peas maintain peak quality for only 2-3 days after harvest, so process them quickly. Store unwashed pods in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. For best flavor, shell peas just before eating or preserving.
Freezing is the ideal preservation method for Lincoln peas. Blanch shelled peas in boiling water for 90 seconds, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Properly frozen Lincoln peas maintain their sweet flavor for 8-12 months.
For canning, use a pressure canner following USDA guidelines, as peas are low-acid foods. Lincoln's naturally sweet flavor makes them excellent for soup mixes and casseroles when canned. You can also allow some pods to fully mature and dry on the plant for winter storage as dried split peas.
History & Origin
Lincoln pea earned its place in gardening history as an All-America Selections winner in 1908, during the early years of organized variety trials in the United States. Developed through careful selection breeding in the Midwest, this variety was specifically chosen for its exceptional reliability and superior eating quality compared to other shelling peas of the era.
The variety's name likely honors Abraham Lincoln, reflecting the patriotic naming trends common in early 20th-century American plant breeding. Lincoln pea quickly became a commercial success, with seed companies recognizing its consistent performance across diverse growing conditions and climates.
For over 115 years, Lincoln has remained virtually unchanged, a testament to the careful selection work of early plant breeders who created a nearly perfect combination of flavor, yield, and disease resistance. Unlike many modern hybrid varieties, Lincoln's open-pollinated nature allowed generations of gardeners to save seeds, spreading this variety through seed exchanges and family gardens across North America. Today, it remains one of the most widely available heirloom peas, still offered by dozens of seed companies and considered a benchmark variety for evaluating other shelling peas.
Advantages
- +Exceptional cold tolerance allows planting 2-4 weeks before last frost
- +Heavy yields of 6-8 peas per pod with consistent production
- +Outstanding sweet flavor that maintains quality when frozen
- +Reliable 65-70 day maturity regardless of weather variations
- +Strong disease resistance to common wilt and root problems
- +Self-supporting vigorous vines reduce need for extensive staking
- +Open-pollinated variety allows for seed saving year after year
Considerations
- -Heat sensitive and stops producing when temperatures exceed 75°F
- -Requires consistent moisture or pods become tough and starchy
- -Susceptible to aphid infestations during warm, humid weather
- -Limited harvest window of 2-3 weeks compared to indeterminate varieties
- -Pods must be harvested frequently or plants stop producing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Peas add nitrogen to soil that carrots need, carrots don't compete for space
Radishes
Help break up soil for pea roots and mature quickly before peas need full space
Lettuce
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by peas and provides living mulch
Spinach
Thrives on nitrogen provided by peas and has similar growing requirements
Marigolds
Repel aphids and other pests that commonly attack pea plants
Chives
Repel aphids and improve overall garden pest management
Mint
Deters ants and aphids, though should be contained to prevent spreading
Cucumbers
Benefit from nitrogen fixed by peas when planted in succession
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Allelopathic compounds can stunt pea growth and reduce yields
Gladiolus
Competes heavily for nutrients and can inhibit pea development
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general vigor with some resistance to common wilt diseases.
Common Pests
Aphids, pea weevils, leaf miners, thrips
Diseases
Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, bacterial blight, root rot