In the middle of the worst drought on record in North Carolina, I decided to experiment planting these peas as a summer "cover crop" to shade and feed my struggling strawberry plants. In the past, I never was successful growing field peas, so it would be a bonus if the pea plants happened to produce some food. But these plants grew like crazy and started producing in six weeks. Three beds, covering about 55 square feet, quickly pumped out several gallons of peas. I cooked up the first harvest with broth, celery, onions, garlic, salt and pepper, and they were delicious. These peas cook up to just the right texture - soft but not mushy - and have a nice subtle flavor. Now, a few weeks later, I am about to cut down the yellowing plants when I notice that they are producing a second wave of lovely creamy-white flowers and more pea pods! I have terrible disease problems in my soil, but these peas are still producing in mid-September. And they are pretty plants with dark green leaves (before the disease strikes) and red stalks that hold the peas high up above the foliage so they're easier to pick. I highly recommend these peas as an easy protein source that you can grow at home.