Crop type: Peas

Pisum sativum ‘Kelvedon Wonder’

Common name: Pea ‘Kelvedon Wonder’

Crop slug: peas

This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.

RHS cultivar profile

1 - Overview

‘Kelvedon Wonder’ is a reliable AGM early-maturing shelling pea with excellent flavour. Although classed as a first early, it can also be sown for an early maincrop. Plants reach about 60cm at picking and produce mainly paired pods up to 9cm long from June. The small sweet peas are suitable for eating fresh or freezing.

Its combination of compact growth, early harvest and good flavour makes it useful for small plots, succession rows and large containers.

2 - Size

Ultimate height: 0.5–1 metre; about 60cm at picking
Ultimate spread: 0.1–0.5 metre
Time to maturity: one year; about 12 weeks as a first early
Pod form: mainly paired, up to about 9cm long

Space seed approximately 7.5cm apart and provide low twiggy supports. The compact plants can be arranged in a triple row across a 15cm-wide trench.

3 - Growing conditions

Suitable soils: Chalk, clay, loam or sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Preferred pH: Acid, alkaline or neutral

Grow in fertile, humus-rich ground that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. Prepare with mature compost, then water at flowering and pod swelling.

4 - Position and hardiness

Light: Full sun
Aspect: East-, south- or west-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness: H2

For the earliest harvest, sow indoors in February or March or wait until outdoor soil reaches about 10°C. Harden module-raised plants before setting them outside.

5 - Colour and seasonal interest

Short climbing green stems carry rounded green leaflets and curling tendrils. White flowers are followed mainly in pairs by long dark-green pointed pods. Inside are small rounded bright-green peas with a notably sweet flavour.

6 - Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to Great Britain and Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Compact climbing annual
Name status: Accepted

Genus

Pisum is a small genus of annual legumes. Its hollow stems climb using leaf tendrils; butterfly-shaped flowers develop into pods containing edible round seeds.

Safety

Fresh peas are edible raw or cooked. Do not eat seed sold with a chemical sowing treatment.

7 - How to grow

Cultivation

Sow from March to early June for first-early use, or make later sowings for an early maincrop. Place seed 5cm deep and around 7.5cm apart in a flat-bottomed drill. Add low pea sticks immediately and protect emerging shoots from mice, pigeons, slugs and snails.

Water thoroughly when flowering starts and again two weeks later. Harvest mainly twin pods from June as soon as they are well filled but still fresh green. Pick every few days to maintain production and use the sweet peas promptly.

Propagation

Propagate by seed, either directly or in deep modules. Avoid disturbing roots during planting.

Suggested locations

Early vegetable plot
Supported raised bed
Cottage or informal garden
Large container
Successional row

Pruning

No pruning is required. Pick regularly, then cut spent growth at soil level and leave healthy roots to decompose.

Pests

May be susceptible to mice, slugs and pea moth. Net seedlings against pigeons and inspect peas when shelling.

Diseases

‘Kelvedon Wonder’ has some resistance to pea wilt and powdery mildew. Maintain rotation, airflow and even root moisture.