Retrija Soup

Pisum sativum 

Speckled brown soup pea from Latvia. Plants grow 4-5′ tall and produce red and pink flowers. Peas are good for shelling and eating fresh, or for threshing once pods are dry. In Latvia, these peas are traditionally picked dry and cooked whole in soup.

Latvian Grey Peas are listed on both the Slow Food Ark of Taste, and the European Protected Designations of Origin (PDO). Given to Adaptive Seeds during their original Seed Ambassadors Project trip by Dr. Livija Zarina of the State Priekuli Plant Breeding Institute in Priekuli, Latvia. The Institute has one of the longest running scientific experiments on farming with organic practices in Europe.

Growing instructions

Seed in well-draining soil when temp is 5-20C, or early July for fall crop. Seed liberally 2-3 inches deep along a trellis, a little deeper if planting in summer. Germination: 7-14 days. Peas prefer cooler temperatures. Provide a trellis or fishnet.