Tom Thumb Pea
Item Details
At 8" tall, this aptly named dwarf pea is ideal for container gardening and is very frost-tolerant. Originating in England and introduced in the United States in the mid-19th century, there were several strains of this variety; over time, further reductions in height and time to maturity were achieved, leading to the pea we know as Tom Thumb today.
- 50-55 days
- ±2,000 seeds/lb
- Conventional
- Shelling pea
- Plants grow to 8 inches
- Good for container gardening
- Able to withstand hard frosts
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
- Stir-fry
- Roasting
- Freezing
Peas can be eaten fresh and tossed with mixed greens or added to stir-fries.
Try roasting your peas and dipping the pods in a peanut-sesame dipping sauce. You can also roast them with potatoes and carrots and toss with olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
Fresh peas are an excellent addition to pasta in cream sauce with asparagus and mushrooms. Peas pair well with mint, feta or goat cheese, toasted nuts, and parmesan.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Peas thrive in cool weather. Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. In addition to containers, Tom Thumb is good for cold-frame production and for planting in flower borders.
- Direct Seed: 2" Apart
- Seed Depth: 1/2-1"
- Germination: 7-14 Days
- Light: Full Sun
Ratings & Reviews
4 reviews
Adorable and tasty
by MK
I planted these in zone 6b (St. Louis, MO) in late winter/very early spring of this year and was delighted by how cute and carefree these little plants are. Each plant produced about 4-5 pods. The peas are delicious, the pods are edible but stringy. I will definitely grow again next year.
Low production
by Nicci
I will not grow these again. They are very low producing compared to the Amish Snap - Maybe 15 pods between the two (zone 6). It was only enough for about 1 serving. Amish Snap Peas taste better and are heavy producers. I wanted shell peas and these just don't measure up.
Seed Savers Response: Hi Nicci, I’m sorry to hear this variety didn’t do well in your garden. Please reach out to our customer service team for variety and planting suggestions and tips.
Adorable and Delicious
by Lori
These have been consistent and reliable for me. They tickle me to no end, so compact and fruitful.
No, they won’t fill your freezer.
I like to keep them in different containers around the patio and deck so I can nibble on them as I come across them. I delight in their novelty and the fact that I never had a garden to graze on growing up and this provides that satisfying outlet.
delightful little plants
by Carole
These are wonderful peas for indoor winter production. They are short and don't produce a lot of peas but plenty for snacking beside my desk. Delightful houseplant or you could use them to edge the garden in the spring and fall since they only get about 8 inches tall.