Growing King Tut Peas on the Homestead

The King Tut Purple peas I planted on March 27th represent one of the most fascinating varieties in my homestead garden. These heirloom seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company carry an intriguing legend – some claim they were discovered in King Tutankhamun’s tomb, making them a living connection to ancient Egyptian agriculture. Whether or not this story holds historical truth, these purple-podded peas (Pisum sativum) are certainly a treasure worth growing. The anticipation of watching them emerge from the soil over the next 10 to 30 days fills me with the same excitement I feel each spring when my garden begins its seasonal transformation.
My planting setup takes full advantage of the excellent growing conditions here in Zone 8b Virginia. I chose a location that receives full sun for most of the day, positioning two 4-foot rows along a sturdy cattle panel that will serve as their climbing support. The timing of late March planting is ideal for our climate, allowing the peas to establish themselves and produce before the intense summer heat arrives. I prepared the raised bed with rich, compost-amended soil that will provide the nutrients these vigorous climbers need. The cattle panel, pre-draped with netting, creates an excellent support system that gives the delicate tendrils multiple points to grab as they reach skyward.
The planting technique I used follows proven methods for maximizing both space and production. By sowing the seeds 1 inch deep and spacing them 4 inches apart in both directions, I’ve created optimal growing conditions that prevent overcrowding while ensuring good air circulation. This spacing allows each plant enough room to develop a strong root system while still providing dense coverage that makes efficient use of vertical growing space. The cattle panel trellis system is particularly well-suited to peas, as they naturally want to climb and will produce much more abundantly when given proper support compared to bush varieties left to sprawl on the ground.
The rich, compost-amended soil in my raised bed provides the perfect foundation for these historic peas. Peas are nitrogen-fixing legumes, meaning they actually improve the soil by partnering with beneficial bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use. This makes them excellent companions for the crops that will follow in this bed later in the season. The raised bed design offers superior drainage, while the organic matter from the compost retains moisture during our sometimes unpredictable Virginia springs. This combination of good drainage and moisture retention creates the ideal root environment that peas need to establish quickly and begin their climb up the trellis.
As these King Tut Purple peas begin their journey from seed to harvest, they represent more than just another crop in my homestead garden. They connect me to generations of gardeners who have saved and shared these same genetics, possibly for thousands of years. The striking purple pods will eventually grace my dinner table, providing not just nutrition but a conversation piece about the intersection of history, legend, and sustainable growing practices. Whether the Egyptian tomb story is fact or folklore, these peas will produce a very real harvest that embodies the best of heirloom gardening – superior flavor, genetic diversity, and the satisfaction of growing something truly special. In about 60 to 70 days, I’ll be harvesting the fruits of this March planting, and the cycle will begin again as I save seeds for future seasons.