Keystone Peas

Pisum sativum, commonly known as keystone peas, is a cool-season annual legume crop valued for its versatility in agricultural applications. Primarily utilized for cover cropping, winter grazing, and wildlife food plots, keystone peas offer numerous benefits to farming systems. With a low temperature threshold, they exhibit increased resilience to winter conditions, enhancing their chances of survival. As excellent nitrogen fixers, keystone peas contribute to soil fertility and health. While mildly winter hardy, their success is further bolstered by the use of inoculants, which are highly recommended for optimal growth. Keystone peas serve as beneficial rotational crops, aiding in disease and pest management. Additionally, they function effectively as green manure cover crops, enriching the soil with nitrogen and organic matter. Their compatibility with small grains makes them an ideal mixer, enhancing the overall productivity and resilience of cropping systems. Overall, keystone peas are a valuable asset in sustainable agriculture, offering multifaceted benefits for soil health, crop rotation, and livestock management.