Round peas

Round Peas vs. Wrinkled Peas: What’s the Difference

ByStephen Albert

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Not all peas are alike. If you’ve browsed seed catalogs, you may have noticed peas described as round-seeded or wrinkled-seeded. These terms refer to the appearance of the dried seed, but they also signal important differences in growth habits, sweetness, and storage. As a lifelong gardener and seed saver, I’ve grown both types and can help you choose the best for your garden.

Round Peas (Smooth-Seeded)

Round peas have smooth, hard seeds that germinate well in cold, damp soil.

  • Planting Advantage: Excellent for very early spring sowing when the ground is still chilly.
  • Flavor: Mild and starchy rather than sweet.
  • Harvest Use: Best for drying and long-term storage.
  • Examples: ‘Alaska,’ ‘Feltham First,’ and many traditional field peas.

Wrinkled Peas

Wrinkled peas have a dimpled, softer seed coat and produce sweeter, tender peas.

  • Planting Window: Prefer slightly warmer soil (above 45°F) for reliable germination.
  • Flavor: Naturally higher sugar content, giving a sweet, fresh taste.
  • Harvest Use: Ideal for eating fresh, freezing, or short-term storage.
  • Examples: ‘Green Arrow,’ ‘Lincoln,’ and most modern garden pea varieties.

Growing Tips

  • Early Planting: Choose round peas if you want to sow as soon as soil can be worked in late winter or very early spring.
  • Sweet Harvests: Opt for wrinkled peas if flavor is your top priority and you can wait for slightly warmer soil.
  • Soil Prep: Both types thrive in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost.
  • Support: Provide trellises for taller varieties to maximize airflow and reduce disease risk.

My Experience and Recommendations

In my Sonoma Valley garden, I plant round peas like ‘Alaska’ for the earliest spring harvest and wrinkled peas such as ‘Green Arrow’ for their exceptional sweetness. Planting a mix of both ensures an extended season and a variety of uses—early soups from round peas and fresh snacks from wrinkled ones.

Choosing between round and wrinkled peas comes down to timing and taste: round peas for early, hardy plantings; wrinkled peas for sweet, tender eating.

Peas Growing Hub

Start here: The Ultimate Peas Growing Guide: From Seed to Harvest

Pea Basics & Types

Planting & Site Prep

Care & Maintenance

Pollination, Pests & Diseases

Harvest & Beyond

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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