60-70 Days to maturity. Pisum sativum. Purple Magnolia Snap Pea Seeds. Non-GMO, cool-season annual, hybrid snap peas. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The Purple Magnolia Snap Pea was developed for its unique, colorful appearance and flavorful peas. Its striking coloration makes it a favorite among gardeners who want to add a splash of color to their vegetable plots. Its vivid purple pods make it an ornamental standout in any garden. The peas are exceptionally sweet, making them a delightful treat whether eaten straight off the vine or cooked. ~115 seeds/oz.

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Latin Name: Pisum sativum
Hardiness Zone: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter.
Days to Maturity: 60-70
Days to Germination: 7-14
Seeding Depth: 1 inch
Direct Sow: Yes, direct sow in the spring once the soil can be worked. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields but is certainly not required for successful growing.
Start Indoors: Not Recommended. Peas grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting.
Pea Pollination: Peas are self-pollinating. They have perfect flowers, meaning they contain the male and female parts needed to complete pollination without additional insect or wind activity. Although, additional activity certainly doesn’t hurt to increase pollination occurrence.
Pea Type: Snap - Snap peas have a tender edible pod when young. The pod tends to be more cylindrical, conforming to the shape of the round peas within.
Plant Spacing: 2-6 inches
Row Spacing: 18-24 inches
Plant Height: 48-72 inches
Plant Width: 10 inches
Growth Habit: Vining - Vining peas are vining-type plants that put out runners that grow very long or tall. Vining peas perform much better with a trellis or support and thus require more effort than bush peas. They are not well suited to container growing without a trellis support.
Growth Speed: Mid - Ready for harvest around 65-74 days from direct sowing.
Deer Resistant: No
Soil Preference: Well-draining, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6-7. While amending the soil with compost can be beneficial, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as peas are natural nitrogen fixers that will transform nitrogen found in the air to a form usable within the soil.
Temperature Preference: Cooler (55-75 F)
Germination Temperature: 50-65 F
Light Preference: Full Sun
Pests and Diseases: Common pests known to affect pea crops include aphids, pea moths, spider mites, cutworms, and pea weevils. Regularly check your plants for signs of pest damage and take prompt action to preserve your crops.
Purple Magnolia Snap Pea Color: Green to Purple
Purple Magnolia Snap Pea Flavor: The flavor is notably sweet, with a crisp texture that holds well both raw and cooked.
Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container
Pea Use: The peas are best enjoyed fresh but can also be blanched and frozen for later use. They are ideal for snacking, stir-fries, or adding a burst of color to salads.
Climate Tolerance: Cold

Growing Purple Magnolia Snap Peas in the Vegetable Garden

Sow the seeds directly in your garden, as peas generally do not respond well to transplanting. Sow when the temperatures are cool, ideally early spring or even late winter, as long as the soil can be worked. Peas can tolerate light frosts, making them one of the first crops planted. In cooler climates, aim to plant about 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost date, or when soil temperatures are at least 50F. For a fall harvest, plant about 8 to 10 weeks before the first expected frost date.

Prepare your garden bed, ensuring the soil is loose and well-drained. Avoid heavy, clay-rich soils as they can impede root growth and water drainage. Enrich the soil with compost or aged manure to provide nutrients needed for growth. Sow the pea seeds at a depth of about 1 inch and space them about 2 inches apart. Rows should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation and ease of harvest.

Since Purple Magnolia Snap Peas are a vining variety, installing a trellis at planting time is crucial. A sturdy trellis, netting, or even a fence will support the vines, which can grow 4-6 feet tall. Providing vertical support saves space in your garden, keeps the peas clean, and makes them easier to pick.

Throughout the growing season, ensure the plants receive regular watering, especially once the peas start flowering and developing pods. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. If nitrogen-rich fertilizer was added at planting, additional feeding should not be necessary, as peas fix their own nitrogen. However, a low-nitrogen, high-potassium, and phosphorus fertilizer can promote healthier blooms and pod set.

Companion planting can be beneficial for peas. Planting them near beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, radishes, and turnips can be advantageous, whereas onions and garlic should be avoided as neighbors. Regularly check for pests like aphids and common diseases like powdery mildew. Early detection and treatment can prevent more serious damage to the plants. Enjoy the fresh, sweet pods right off the vine, or incorporate them into meals.

Harvesting Purple Magnolia Snap Peas

The pods should be harvested when plump and appear shiny before they become too bulky or lose their sheen. The peas inside should be visible as bumps on the pod, but the pod should still feel tender and not overly stiff or fibrous.

To harvest, use one hand to hold the vine and the other to pull or snip the pod from the plant gently. Be careful not to tug too hard, which can damage the plant and reduce future production. Regular harvesting, ideally every 1 to 3 days, encourages the plant to produce more pods and extends the harvesting window.

About Purple Magnolia Snap Pea Garden Seeds

Enjoy the fresh flavor of your home-grown snap peas right off the vine, or store them in the refrigerator for a few days to keep them crisp until you're ready to use them in your cooking.

Its vining habit allows it to produce a significant number of pods over the growing season, especially when supported by a trellis or similar structure that maximizes space and sunlight exposure.

The name pays homage to the popular Grateful Dead Song.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"The smell of pea blossoms is one of my all-time favorite scents! The flower from Purple Magnolia is absolutely gorgeous and has that classic smell."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

Examples Of Seed Variation - Natural Vs Man-Made Materials

Purple Magnolia Snap Pea Seeds Per Package:

18 g - Wholesale - Approximately 73 Seeds
4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 460 Seeds
1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,844 Seeds
5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 9,220 Seeds
25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 46,100 Seeds

Non-GMO Purple Magnolia Snap Pea seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

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