How to Grow Wando Pea
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Wando Pea
Pisum sativum 'Wando'
vegetableWando is a dwarf garden pea variety that grows 18-24 inches tall and produces sweet, tender pods ideal for fresh eating and freezing. Known for its heat tolerance compared to other pea varieties, Wando performs well in both spring and fall gardens. The plants are productive and reliable, making them popular for home gardeners.
When should you plant Wando Pea in your zone?
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Example Wando Pea timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wando Pea
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Wando Pea
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wando Pea dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8; excellent for spring and fall planting; heat-tolerant for warmer regions
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Get my Wando Pea timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout and unfurl cotyledons and first true leaves. Plants are low-growing and delicate.
Ensure consistent soil moisture and cool temperatures (55-65°F optimal). Thin seedlings if necessary. Provide light support or pea sticks early if desired.
Vegetative Growth
20-30 daysPlant develops compound leaves, tendrils, and lateral shoots. Height increases to 6-12 inches. Stems are bushy and sturdy.
Install support structure if using taller varieties or if wind is strong. Maintain even moisture. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers which promote leafy growth over pods. Mulch around plants to retain moisture.
Flowering
10-14 daysSmall white or pale pink flowers appear at leaf axils. Each flower develops into a pod. Plants reach near full height of 18-24 inches.
Continue consistent watering but reduce frequency slightly. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Watch for early pests like aphids. Temperature stress can reduce pod set—provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Pod Development & Maturation
15-25 daysGreen pods swell with developing peas. Pods transition from flat to rounded. Ready for harvest when pods are full but still tender and bright green.
Water regularly to support pod filling. Pick pods frequently to encourage continued production. Check daily once flowering begins—peas mature quickly and toughen if left too long.
Harvest & Late Season
7-14 days intensive harvest windowPods are at peak quality with sweet, tender peas inside. Plant productivity declines as temperatures rise or cool season ends.
Harvest regularly by gently pinching pods off with fingers or using scissors. If allowing plants to finish naturally, stop harvesting some pods to let seeds fully mature for storage or seed saving. Remove spent plants after final harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; neem oil as last resort
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Use row covers until flowering; early harvest before weevils emerge; store seeds in cool, dry conditions; remove infested pods
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Improve air circulation; water at soil level only; remove infected leaves; apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray; plant in full sun
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Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water; use neem oil; encourage predatory mites
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and
Hand-pick early morning or evening; use copper barriers; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth; remove debris and dense vegetation
Uses
Fresh pods and peas
CulinaryWando peas are sweet and tender, excellent raw in salads, cooked in stir-fries, or steamed as a side dish. The entire young pod is edible when harvested early. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryWando peas freeze exceptionally well, retaining sweetness and texture for 8-12 months. Blanch briefly before freezing to preserve color and nutritional value. [source]
Nutritional and health benefits
MedicinalPeas are rich in vitamins C and K, folate, and plant-based protein. They support digestive health, bone density, and provide energy through complex carbohydrates. [source]
Nitrogen fixation and soil improvement
HouseholdAs a legume, Wando peas form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil. After harvest, chop plants and incorporate into soil to enrich it with nitrogen naturally. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifePea flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting ecosystem health and aiding pollination of nearby crops. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick pods when they are full, bright green, and slightly tender—usually 3-4 days after flowering. Squeeze a pod gently; if peas are plump but not rock-hard, they're ready. Harvest frequently (every 2-3 days) to encourage more production. Grasp the main stem with one hand and pluck pods with the other to avoid damaging the plant. Early morning harvest yields the sweetest peas. Eat fresh immediately or freeze within a few hours for best flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wando was specifically bred for heat tolerance, making it one of the few garden pea varieties that can produce pods in late spring and early summer when other peas fail.
- 🌱 Garden peas were one of Gregor Mendel's plants of choice for his groundbreaking heredity experiments in the 1860s, establishing the foundation of modern genetics.
- 🌱 A single pea plant's root system produces a nodule colony that can convert up to 15 pounds of atmospheric nitrogen per acre into plant-available nitrogen annually.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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