Keystone Winter Peas

Keystone peas are a very special pea. It is primarily a winter pea but can also be used as a spring pea. Keystone is a tall semi leafless white flowering green pea. Compared to other winter peas it is faster to start, has improved disease resistance and works well in mixtures. Year after year keystone has been our top performer on our research farm in Lancaster county, PA.

As a white flowered pea, Keystone does not contain anthocyanin, a mild antinutritional substance in the plant. So without the anthocyanin, the Keystone will have better palatability and slightly better digestibility than Austrian winter pea (a vining type with purple flowers). This is true for livestock and for wildlife.

Inoculate with KFBiotrigger Cover Crop or N-Dure Pea/Vetch Inoculant for best growth and nitrogen fixation.

Keystone Winter Peas Tech Sheet 

Key Characteristics

  • Competitive winter annual pea
  • White flower for best palatability
  • Great digestibility for livestock or wildlife

Best Uses:

  • Livestock: Haylage, Baleage
  • Wildlife: Food Plots
  • Cover crops: Legume components in mixtures
  • Grain: Best in cooler climate

Establishment:

  • Planting Dates: Late winter, Early Spring or late Summer.
  • Seeding Rate: 120lbs/Acre straight stand; 40-80lbs/Acre in mixes (depending on proportion of peas desired) 2,580 Seeds per pound
  • Seeding Depth: 3/4”-1 1/2”
  • Use the large seed box