Plant as soon as ground can be worked, ideally before you file your income taxes. Plant about 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart. Varieties with vine lengths in excess of 3 feet will do much better if given some support, light brush or a simple trellis. Plant again in mid-summer for smaller fall harvests. English Pea 256.
Yields are very high and borne on a good strong vine.
Pods can have as many as a dozen peas each, with two pods per node. The peas themselves are relatively small and have good flavor. The virtues are giant pod size, ease of shelling, large numbers of peas per pod, exceptionally sweet flavor, outstanding yields, continuous production, easy of harvest, and disease resistance. Mr. Big is the All America Award winner for the year 2000. Vines can grow to 6 feet in length so it does best with some support.