One Seed, One Community!
Growing one type of seed together as one community.
How Does it Work?
The Amish Snap Pea has been selected for the 2024 planting season. This is a Seed Savers Exchange best seller with delicate, sweet flavor. Vines grow 5-6′ tall and are covered in 2″ translucent green pods. They will yield over a 6-week period if kept picked.
Peas thrive in cool weather and should be planted directly in the ground as soon as soil can be worked — typically mid-March in DuPage County. Sustain DuPage will provide instructions via email throughout the growing season.
If you plan to grow as organically as possible, we’d love to grow with you! If you’d like to try growing this variety in containers, remember, they need something to climb on.
1) Register to participate as a seed-grower and receive your FREE seeds at the following events:
– Morton Arboretum Seed Swap (Lisle) – January 27th, Noon – 3PM. Details here.
– Seed Starting (Carol Stream) – February 1, 7PM-8:30PM. Details here.
– Seed Share with Sustain DuPage (Wheaton) – February 24th, 1PM-3PM. Details here.
– First Congregational Church (Elmhurst) – Green Garden Fair, May 11th 9AM-Noon. Check out their Organic Seedling Sale (Pre-Ordering ends 2/28/24) and pick up at the Green Garden Fair. Details here. Note that Sustain DuPage will be sharing bean seeds at this event.
– Seedling Share with Sustain DuPage (Wheaton) – May 18th 1PM-3PM. Details here. Note that Sustain DuPage will be sharing bean seeds at this event.
– Additional pop up events will be added, and also posted on Facebook).
2) Plant your FREE seeds, water them, and watch them grow. Note: Double rows of peas can be planted on each side of a trellis. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days.
3) In approximately 62 days, Amish snap peas will be ready to harvest and enjoy!
4) When they are ready to harvest, the biggest challenge is getting them into the house. Seriously, they’re that good! Eat some, and leave a few pods on the vine for the next step.
5) Leave a few pods on the vine to dry; then harvest later as seeds.
6) Donate 20-30 seeds back to Sustain DuPage this fall. If you can, attend our Seed Savin’ Social this fall to celebrate our success as a community. Details on the social TBA.
7) The resulting seed stock will be shared with interested gardeners and the Downers Legacy Seed Library in order to strengthen our local seedshed (the geographic region wherein a landrace seed’s genetics are being perpetuated through cross-pollination, also called “seed stock”).
Who Can Participate?
Anyone in DuPage County who has access to growing space for three or more plants.