Best Peas to Grow in Alaska
Alaska sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 3. These 35 pea varieties are suited to Alaska's 120-day growing season with last frost around May 15 and first frost around September 15.
Varieties
35
for Alaska
USDA Zone
3
120-day season
Beginner
20
easy to grow
Heirloom
24
heritage varieties
Alaska in USDA Zone 3
Alaska is primarily in Zone 3. Varieties that thrive in this zone will typically grow well across the state, though local microclimates vary.
When to Plant Peas in Alaska
Growing Peas in Alaska
Zone 3 presents both challenges and opportunities for pea growers. The harsh winters and late spring thaw mean a compressed growing season, but peas actually thrive in the cooler temperatures that define this zone. While many gardeners in warmer climates struggle with peas bolting in summer heat, Zone 3 gardeners can often grow peas well into July and sometimes restart them for a fall harvest. The key is choosing varieties that can handle the short season and make the most of the cool, stable growing conditions.
When selecting peas for Zone 3, prioritize varieties with shorter maturity times (under 70 days) and those bred for cold tolerance. Snow peas and snap peas often perform better than shelling peas because you can harvest them earlier in their development. Look for compact, determinate varieties that put their energy into producing pods quickly rather than sprawling vines that take time to establish. Cold-hardy varieties like Wando and Oregon Sugar Pod II have proven themselves in northern gardens, while quick-maturing options like Sugar Ann and Little Marvel maximize your short growing window.
Variety Comparison
| Variety ↑ | Days | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Alderman | 70-80 | Moderate |
| Blue Podded Blauwschokker | 70-80 | Moderate |
| Carouby de Maussane | 70-80 | Moderate to Advanced |
| Cascadia | 60 | Easy |
| Dwarf Grey Sugar | 60-65 | Easy |
| Golden Sweet | 60 | Moderate |
| Green Arrow | 68-75 | Easy to Moderate |
| Kelvedon Wonder | 60-65 | Easy |
| Knight | 90-100 | Easy |
| Laxton's Progress No. 1 | 60-65 | Easy |
| Lincoln | 65-70 | Easy |
| Little Marvel | 60-65 | Easy |
| Maestro | 61-65 | Easy to Moderate |
| Mammoth Melting Sugar | 70-80 | Moderate |
| Mr. Big | 60-65 | Easy |
| Oregon Giant | 60 | Moderate |
| Oregon Sugar Pod II | 60 | Easy |
| Progress No. 9 | 60-65 | Easy |
| Provider | 50 | Easy |
| Purple Podded | 65-70 | Easy to Moderate |
| Purple Top | 37 | Moderate |
| Snap Pea 'Cascadia' | 60-70 | Easy |
| Snowbird | 60-65 | Easy |
| Sugar Ann | 51 | Easy |
| Sugar Baron | 58-65 | Easy |
| Sugar Daddy | 72-74 | Easy |
| Sugar Snap | 58 | Easy |
| Sugar Sprint | 60-65 | Easy |
| Super Sugar Snap | 61 | Easy to Moderate |
| Survivor | 70-75 | Moderate |
| Tall Telephone | 68-75 | Easy to moderate |
| Telephone | 65-75 | Moderate |
| Thomas Laxton | 55-65 | Moderate |
| Tom Thumb | 50-55 | Easy |
| Wando | 68-75 | Easy |
Variety Details
Alderman
Also known as Tall Telephone, this vigorous heirloom climbing pea from 1891 produces some of the largest and most flavorful shelling peas available. The impressive 6-foot vines yield massive pods packed with 8-10 sweet, large peas perfect for fresh eating or preserving. This variety is ideal for gardeners who want maximum production from minimal space.
Blue Podded Blauwschokker
A stunning Dutch heirloom that produces vibrant purple pods and bright magenta flowers, making it as ornamental as it is edible. This unique variety has been treasured since the 1800s for its striking appearance and excellent flavor as both a snow pea and dried pea. The purple pods turn green when cooked, creating a delightful culinary surprise.
Carouby de Maussane
A spectacular French heirloom snow pea that produces enormous purple-flowered vines and the largest edible pods of any pea variety. These impressive 4-5 inch wide, flat pods are incredibly tender and sweet when harvested young, making them a gourmet delight. The vigorous climbing plants create an edible privacy screen while producing abundant harvests throughout the cool season.
Cascadia
Cascadia boasts high yields of 2 1/2-3" pods on 18-20" vines. Similar in maturity to PLS 141, but with slightly smaller pod size. 2 pods per node on upright plants. Remove string from pods before cooking.
Dwarf Grey Sugar
An attractive addition to salad mixes, Dwarf Grey Sugar is the preferred variety for both taste and tenderness. A great choice for restaurant sales. 28" vines. Edible Flowers: The flowers, with their mild and pea-like flavor, are a popular choice for brightening up salad mix. They can also be used in micro mix salads, as a garnish for desserts, or for candying to place on cakes.
Golden Sweet
Crack-resistant, 15-20 gm., deep-yellow fruits grow in long clusters on tall, healthy plants. Mild, sweet flavor. Leaf mold resistance is a plus for indoor culture. Indeterminate.
Green Arrow
A high-yielding shelling pea that consistently produces heavy crops of long, dark green pods packed with sweet peas. Developed for its exceptional productivity and disease resistance, Green Arrow matures its crop uniformly, making it perfect for preserving or farmers market sales. This reliable variety performs well in various climates and soil conditions, earning its place as a garden staple.
Kelvedon Wonder
A British favorite since 1925 that combines early maturity with exceptional productivity in a compact plant. This reliable variety produces abundant crops of well-filled pods containing 7-9 sweet, tender peas that have made it a mainstay in European gardens for nearly a century. Kelvedon Wonder's dependable performance and superior flavor make it perfect for gardeners seeking a proven, space-efficient shelling pea.
Knight
Almost black, 1 1/2-2 1/2" blooms stand tall on strong, slender stems. A dramatic addition to any bouquet or garden. Also known as mourningbride.
Laxton's Progress No. 1
A classic English heirloom shelling pea dating back to the 1920s, beloved for its exceptional productivity and sweet flavor. This dwarf variety produces plump pods filled with tender, bright green peas that are perfect for fresh eating or freezing. Despite its compact size, it delivers impressive yields and has been a home garden favorite for nearly a century.
Lincoln
A dependable All-America Selections winner from 1908 that remains one of the most popular shelling peas for home gardeners. This variety produces heavy yields of dark green pods filled with exceptionally sweet peas that freeze beautifully. Lincoln's consistent performance and excellent flavor have made it a garden staple for over a century.
Little Marvel
A compact heirloom shelling pea perfect for small gardens and beginning gardeners since 1908. Despite its dwarf stature, Little Marvel produces an abundant harvest of plump, sweet peas that mature all at once for easy picking. This reliable variety consistently delivers exceptional flavor and has been a garden favorite for over a century.
Maestro
A premium shelling pea that produces exceptionally large, sweet peas in abundant clusters. This vigorous variety is prized by gardeners for its outstanding flavor and impressive yields that make all the shelling effort worthwhile. Maestro consistently ranks among the best-tasting garden peas available.
Mammoth Melting Sugar
An impressive heirloom snow pea variety dating back to the 1880s, producing enormous 4-5 inch edible pods on towering vines. The sweet, crisp pods literally melt in your mouth and are perfect for stir-fries and fresh eating. This vigorous climber is a conversation starter in any garden with its exceptional size and productivity.
Mr. Big
A dwarf variety that lives up to its name with exceptionally large pods packed with plump, sweet peas despite its compact 18-inch height. This bush-type pea is perfect for small gardens and containers, producing impressive yields without the need for staking or trellising. Mr. Big proves that great things really do come in small packages, delivering full-sized flavor in a space-saving plant.
Oregon Giant
Abundant yields of medium-green pods up to 4 1/2" long x 1" wide. The 30" tall, white-flowered vines produce 1 to 2 pods per node. Bred by the late Dr. James Baggett of Oregon State University.
Oregon Sugar Pod II
A great substitute for Oregon Giant, as it is very similar. Excellent emergence. Normal, 38" tall vines produce very high yields of stringless pods. 2 pods per node.
Progress No. 9
A dependable English shelling pea that has been a garden favorite since the 1930s, prized for its consistent production and excellent flavor. This compact, dwarf variety produces plump pods filled with 7-9 large, sweet peas that are perfect for fresh eating or preserving. Its reliable performance and disease resistance make it an ideal choice for beginning gardeners.
Provider
Provider can be planted earlier than other beans because it tolerates cool soils. Compact plants are easy to grow and adaptable to diverse soil and climate conditions. Produces 5 1/2" fleshy, round pod green beans. Purple seeds. Bush bean.
Purple Podded
A stunning ornamental edible that produces beautiful deep purple pods filled with bright green peas, creating a striking contrast in the garden. This heritage variety from the 1800s not only looks amazing but also delivers excellent flavor and productivity. The purple pods make harvesting easy since they stand out dramatically against the green foliage, though they turn green when cooked.
Purple Top
A Chinese specialty also known as Kailaan. The young plants produce quantities of long, pencil-thin, red-purple, budded flower stems. Pleasing, mild mustard taste for use raw in salads or lightly cooked in stir-fries or soups. For multiple harvesting of tender stems and leaves. Can be spring sown, but yields best when sown June through October for harvest from mid summer through winter (in mild areas). Hand harvest 8-10" long shoots by snapping them. Shoots that do not easily snap are overmature.
Snap Pea 'Cascadia'
An award-winning snap pea variety that combines exceptional disease resistance with outstanding flavor and productivity. Developed specifically for home gardeners, Cascadia produces crisp, sweet pods that are perfect for fresh eating and maintain their quality longer than most varieties. This reliable performer thrives in Pacific Northwest conditions but adapts well to gardens everywhere.
Snowbird
A beautiful snow pea variety with pure white flowers that develop into tender, flat pods perfect for stir-fries and fresh eating. This compact climbing variety is not only productive but also ornamental, making it perfect for edible landscapes or gardeners who want both beauty and bounty. Snowbird's crisp texture and sweet flavor make it a favorite for Asian cuisine and fresh snacking.
Sugar Ann
Consistently the sweetest bush type in our trials, Sugar Ann produces uniform crops of delicious 2-2 1/2" long peas that hold their flavor well. Matures exceptionally early, with a concentrated set on 20" dwarf vines with 1-2 pods per node. AAS Winner.
Sugar Baron
A premium snap pea variety that produces exceptionally sweet, tender pods with thick, succulent walls. This vigorous climbing variety delivers outstanding yields of perfectly crisp pods that are delicious raw or lightly cooked. Sugar Baron's consistent performance and exceptional flavor make it a top choice for gardeners who want the ultimate snap pea experience.
Sugar Daddy
A stringless snap pea that delivers exceptional sweetness and crunch without the hassle of removing tough strings. This compact variety produces plump, tender pods that are perfect for eating fresh or adding to stir-fries. Sugar Daddy is beloved by gardeners for its reliable production and kid-friendly appeal.
Sugar Snap
Johnny's superior strain. From an ongoing collaboration with the family of the late Dr. Calvin Lamborn, the breeder of Sugar Snap. A household name for its sweet, crisp pods, Sugar Snap germinates well in cold, wet soil, and the vigorous plants quickly produce a thick stand that requires support. Vines avg. 72" with 1 or 2 pods per node. Yields well over a long season in both hot and cold weather. Remove string from pods before cooking. Needs trellising. AAS Winner. Also available in organic seed.
Sugar Sprint
An early-season snap pea that delivers sweet, crunchy pods in record time. This compact variety is perfect for impatient gardeners who want to harvest delicious snap peas within 60 days of planting. The vigorous plants produce abundant 3-inch pods that are excellent for fresh eating, stir-fries, or freezing.
Super Sugar Snap
A disease-resistant version of the beloved Sugar Snap with more manageable 60" vines. Early yields are heavier over a shorter period. Not quite as sweet as the original. Pods avg. 3" long with 1 or 2 per node. Remove string from pods before cooking. Needs trellising.
Survivor
A remarkable heat-tolerant pea variety that extends the growing season well into summer when other peas have long given up. Developed for its ability to withstand challenging conditions, Survivor produces sweet, tender snap peas even in warm weather. This vigorous climber is perfect for gardeners who want fresh peas throughout the summer months.
Tall Telephone
A classic heirloom shelling pea from the 1880s that remains beloved for its exceptional productivity and sweet flavor. This tall-growing variety produces an abundance of large pods filled with 8-10 tender, sweet peas that are perfect for fresh eating or freezing. Tall Telephone is the variety that made generations of gardeners fall in love with homegrown peas.
Telephone
A treasured heirloom from the 1870s that remains one of the finest shelling peas ever developed. This tall, vigorous climber produces enormous pods packed with 8-10 large, exceptionally sweet peas that have satisfied gardeners for over 150 years. The impressive height and prolific production make Telephone a garden showstopper that delivers old-fashioned pea flavor at its absolute best.
Thomas Laxton
A prized English heirloom from 1900 renowned for producing some of the sweetest, most tender peas available to home gardeners. This early-season variety beats many modern peas to harvest while delivering superior flavor that's particularly sweet when picked young. Thomas Laxton has remained popular for over 120 years because it consistently produces restaurant-quality peas that make every gardener feel like a gourmet.
Tom Thumb
The ultimate space-saving pea variety, Tom Thumb grows just 8-10 inches tall yet produces a surprising abundance of sweet, tender peas. This Victorian-era heirloom is perfect for container gardens, small spaces, and children's gardens. Despite its tiny stature, it delivers full-sized flavor and requires no staking or trellising.
Wando
A heat-tolerant shelling pea variety developed for gardeners in warmer climates who thought they couldn't grow peas. This reliable variety produces sweet, tender peas even when temperatures rise, extending the growing season significantly. Perfect for Southern gardens and areas with unpredictable spring weather.
Zone 3 Growing Tips for Alaska
In Zone 3, direct seed peas as soon as soil can be worked in spring, typically 2-4 weeks before your last frost date (early to mid-April). Peas can handle soil temperatures as low as 45°F and light frosts, so don't wait for warm weather. Pre-sprouting seeds indoors on damp paper towels for 2-3 days can give you a head start and ensure better germination in cold soil. Plant seeds 2 inches deep in heavy soil or 3 inches deep in sandy soil to protect them from temperature fluctuations.
To extend your season, try succession planting every 2 weeks through early June, though later plantings may struggle with summer heat. For fall crops, plant again in mid to late July – the key is timing so pods mature before hard frost but after the summer heat breaks. Consider using row covers or cold frames to protect young plants from unexpected late frosts and to extend harvests into October. In Zone 3's short season, every extra week counts, so don't hesitate to use season extension tools.