Progress nr. 9 is a very reliable, popular and very prolific, dwarf pea variety. It produces a very prolific amount of fresh darkgreen, thick, long fleshy pods. These pods contain about 8 - 10 peas each. The very delicious and tasty, small, very sweet and round peas are fresh light green and can be kept fresh in the fridge or frozen. These plants don't need any support and are very well suited for small gardens and vegetable plots. These seeds are treated with an anti-fungal agent.
Peas are also very healthy and versatile. They contain vitamins: vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B11, C, E and K. And the minerals iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and zinc. Peas also contain the amino acid tryptophan, fibre and few calories. Peas can be boiled, steamed, blanched, stewed, used in casseroles, stews, soups and many other dishes. Shortly cooked peas can also be added to salads and raw vegetables. Peas are very tasty in combination with: chicken, beef, pork, minced meat, ham, crème fraîche, pasta, cheese, milk, paprika, bacon, rice, shrimps, saffron, coucous, eggs, curry powder, goat cheese, lemon, salmon, coconut milk, olive oil and tahini. And other vegetables such as: spring onion, onion, carrot, potato, tomato, peppers, wild rocket, sweet potato, cauliflower, broccoli, courgette, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, lentils, pumpkin, chickpeas, snow peas and green beans. Non-hardy annual. Height: 40 - 50 cm.
Soaking: 24 hours
Pre Germination: yes
Indoor sowing/under glass: from February
Outdoor sowing: March - June
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germination temperature: 10 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 2 - 4 cm
Planting distance: 30 - 50 cm
Plant position: sunny - sheltered
Days till harvest: 98 - 112
Soak the seeds for 24 hours in a bowl of water, the seeds will fill up completely, which gives them a head start in germinating. If desired, the seeds can also be pre-germinated. Place the seeds in a tray of water with the water halfway up the seeds. Refill the water regularly as the seeds absorb a lot of water. After 3 - 4 days the seeds will have developed roots of about 1 cm. Now the seeds can be sown. Sow indoors from February. Sow in separate pots 1 seed per pot. Cover the seeds well with sowing soil because peas are dark germinators. Keep the seeds well moist and ensure an even temperature during germination. Especially at night, do not let the temperature drop. Put the seedlings outside from the beginning of March. Protect the seedlings in the beginning against snails and birds. Earth the plants as soon as they are 10 - 15 cm high. Make sure, especially with tall species, that they are well supported by poles and netting.
Sowing can be done outside as of March. Sow the seeds 2 - 4 cm deep and cover them with sowing soil. Cover the seeds with e.g. fleece to protect them against birds and mice. Provide a firm support of gauze and sticks. Leave enough space between the rows. The space should be 60 cm for low species and 120 cm for high species. Earth the young plants when they are 10 - 15 cm high. Keep well moist and free of weeds. Protect the young plants well against snails and birds. It may also be necessary to protect the pods in which the peas form against birds. Use crop rotation to prevent the build-up of diseases in the soil. Keep a rotation of 4 years. This means that you do not grow legumes on soil that has had legumes in the last 4 years. Pluck the pods with peas regularly to promote the continued growth of pods. Remove the pod to harvest the peas (caps). Peas can be frozen very well. Blanch them for a few (3) minutes. After this they can be frozen and kept for several months (10).
