How to Grow Oregon Sugar Pod II
Pisum sativum
Oregon Sugar Pod II is a popular heirloom bush pea known for its sweet flavor and compact growth habit. Gardeners favor this variety for producing tender pods without needing tall trellises, making it ideal for small spaces or container gardening.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Oregon Sugar Pod II: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Oregon Sugar Pod II is not usually started indoors.
This variety is best direct-sown into the garden rather than started indoors and transplanted later.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.2 and 7.2 to ensure healthy root development. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date; they tolerate light frosts well. Plant the seeds about one inch deep in the ground. Expect germination within eight to fourteen days if moisture levels remain consistent.
Space plants three to four inches apart since this variety grows as a bush rather than a vining type, so it does not require trellising or supports. Maintain consistent soil moisture by providing one to one-and-a-half inches of water weekly during pod development. Apply light mulch around the base to retain humidity and feed sparingly if growth appears sluggish.
Watch for pea aphids, spider mites, leafminers, and pea moths; encourage beneficial insects or use insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Monitor for downy mildew, bacterial blight, root rot, white mold, and Fusarium wilt by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest pods roughly sixty days after sowing when they are firm but tender.
When to Plant Oregon Sugar Pod II
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Oregon Sugar Pod II
✓ Good companions
Peas improve soil nitrogen for carrots, while carrots help break up soil for pea roots
Repel aphids and improve overall garden health with natural fungicidal properties
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by peas and provides living mulch to retain soil moisture
Repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack peas
Deters ants and rodents that may eat pea seeds, though contain in pots to prevent spreading
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial insects
Quick-growing radishes help break up soil and can be harvested before peas need full space
Thrives in nitrogen-enriched soil from peas and has similar cool-season growing requirements
✗ Keep away from
Allelopathic compounds can stunt pea growth and reduce pod production
Competes heavily for nutrients and may harbor thrips that damage pea plants
Can inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
