{"product_id":"thomas-laxton-pea-seeds-pisum-sativum-1900-heirloom-sweet-shelling-pea-early-season-60-65-days","title":"Thomas Laxton Pea Seeds | Pisum sativum | 1900 Heirloom | Sweet Shelling Pea | Early Season | 60–65 Days","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThomas Laxton Pea Seeds – Pisum sativum | 1900 Heirloom | Premier Early Sweet Shelling Pea | 60–65 Days\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThomas Laxton\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePisum sativum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the finest and most historically significant heirloom shelling peas ever developed — an early 20th-century English variety bred by the legendary horticulturist \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Laxton\u003c\/strong\u003e of Bedford, whose family seed house became one of the most celebrated in British horticultural history. Introduced around \u003cstrong\u003e1900\u003c\/strong\u003e, Thomas Laxton has remained a garden staple for over 125 years, prized for its \u003cstrong\u003eexceptional sweetness, early maturity, and heavy yields\u003c\/strong\u003e of well-filled pods containing 7–8 large, bright green, tender peas. Vigorous vines reach \u003cstrong\u003e30–36 inches tall\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it manageable with moderate support. One of the sweetest and most reliable early shelling peas available. Open-pollinated heirloom, non-GMO. Approximately \u003cstrong\u003e60–65 days to maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eVariety Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pisum sativum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas Laxton — open-pollinated heirloom, non-GMO; introduced c. 1900\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shelling pea (garden pea) — pods are not edible; sweet green peas are shelled before eating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVine height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–36 inches; semi-tall; benefits from pea brush, netting, or a low trellis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-large; well-filled; 7–8 large, bright green, sweet peas per pod\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–65 days — early season variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool season; sow in early spring (4–6 weeks before last frost) or fall. Peas prefer 45–75°F and decline in summer heat above 80°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–14 days at 40–75°F; peas germinate in cold soil — no heat mat required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 inches apart; rows 18–24 inches apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e All zones (cool-season annual)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained, moderately fertile; pH 6.0–7.0; beans and peas fix their own nitrogen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHeritage \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThomas Laxton (1830–1893) was one of Victorian England’s most influential plant breeders, working in Bedford at a time when Mendel’s genetics were just beginning to be understood and applied. The Laxton family seed business — continued by Thomas’s sons as \u003cem\u003eLaxton Brothers\u003c\/em\u003e — produced dozens of landmark varieties of peas, strawberries, apples, and other fruits and vegetables that became cornerstones of British kitchen gardening. Thomas Laxton pea was developed to capture the ideal of the English garden pea: early, sweet, productive, and beautiful in the pod. It won awards at Royal Horticultural Society trials and was listed in leading seed catalogs on both sides of the Atlantic. Over 125 years later, it remains one of the benchmark heirloom shelling peas — a testament to the quality of Laxton’s breeding work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCulinary Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh shelled peas (peak use):\u003c\/strong\u003e Shell and eat within hours of harvest for the sweetest flavor — peas begin converting sugar to starch immediately after picking. Thomas Laxton’s high sugar content makes it exceptional eaten raw, straight from the pod in the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eButtered fresh peas — the simplest and most classic preparation: simmer briefly in salted water or steam, then toss with good butter and a pinch of fleur de sel; a perfect accompaniment to lamb, roast chicken, or salmon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePea and mint soup — one of the great British spring soups; fresh or frozen shelled peas blended with vegetable stock, shallots, and fresh mint; finished with crème fraîche and served hot or chilled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePetits pois à la française — the classic French braised pea preparation: cooked slowly in butter with pearl onions, shredded lettuce, and lardons; the sweetness of Thomas Laxton peas is perfect for this dish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePea and ham soup — split pea-style long-cooked soup using dried Thomas Laxton peas with a ham hock, carrots, celery, and thyme; deeply savory and satisfying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRisotto ai piselli — Italian fresh pea risotto; stir shelled peas into a classic Parmesan risotto in the final minutes; Thomas Laxton’s sweetness pairs beautifully with the nutty Parmesan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpring pasta — tossed with fresh peas, prosciutto or pancetta, lemon zest, and Pecorino Romano; a Roman-style pasta e piselli variation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePea and ricotta crostini — smashed fresh peas with fresh ricotta, lemon, mint, and olive oil on grilled sourdough; a classic spring appetizer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen for year-round use — blanch shelled peas 90 seconds, ice bath, freeze flat; Thomas Laxton’s high sugar content means it freezes exceptionally well with minimal flavor loss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNote on eating fresh vs. dried:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas Laxton is primarily a fresh shelling pea. For long-term dry bean storage, allow pods to fully dry and yellow on the plant, then shell and dry seeds further before airtight storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePlanting Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTiming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow in \u003cstrong\u003eearly spring, 4–6 weeks before last frost\u003c\/strong\u003e — peas tolerate frost and germinate in cold soil (as low as 40°F). In warm climates (Zones 8–11), sow in \u003cstrong\u003efall or winter\u003c\/strong\u003e for a cool-season harvest. Peas fail above 80°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect sow (strongly recommended):\u003c\/strong\u003e Peas dislike transplanting. Sow directly outdoors, \u003cstrong\u003e1–2 inches deep\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 inches apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, in rows \u003cstrong\u003e18–24 inches apart\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInoculant (recommended):\u003c\/strong\u003e Treat seeds with a legume inoculant (\u003cem\u003eRhizobium leguminosarum\u003c\/em\u003e) before planting, especially in beds where peas have not been grown recently. Improves nitrogen fixation and yield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupport:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas Laxton vines reach 30–36 inches — provide pea brush (twiggy branches), wire netting, or a low trellis. Install support at planting time; the vines climb by tendrils and attach themselves quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil consistently moist. Water at the base — avoid overhead watering to reduce powdery mildew risk, which is common on peas in humid conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuccession sowing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow a new row every 2–3 weeks for an extended harvest window rather than a single large flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting \u0026amp; Seed Saving\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest when pods are \u003cstrong\u003eplump and well-filled\u003c\/strong\u003e but still bright green — gently press the pod; you should feel the round peas inside clearly. Pods that have begun to yellow or fade are over-mature and will be starchy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck plants \u003cstrong\u003eevery 1–2 days\u003c\/strong\u003e at peak season. Consistent picking prolongs the harvest by encouraging continued pod set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor \u003cstrong\u003eseed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow selected pods to fully mature and dry on the vine until papery and brown; shell and dry seeds fully before storing in airtight containers in a cool, dark location. Properly stored pea seeds remain viable for \u003cstrong\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"CARIBBEAN GARDEN SEED","offers":[{"title":"PEA \/ 100 SEEDS","offer_id":46743909269690,"sku":"P35459S1","price":2.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"PEA \/ 1\/4 LB","offer_id":46743909302458,"sku":"P35459S2","price":5.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"PEA \/ 1 LB","offer_id":46743909335226,"sku":"P35459S","price":11.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1022\/5071\/files\/474915745.jpg?v=1790083516","url":"https:\/\/caribbeangardenseed.com\/en-fr\/products\/thomas-laxton-pea-seeds-pisum-sativum-1900-heirloom-sweet-shelling-pea-early-season-60-65-days","provider":"Caribbean garden seed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}