The Alaska pea was originally known as “Earliest of All” in England where it was bred to be extremely early by Thomas Laxton around 1883. It was renamed Alaska when introduced into the American market. Interestingly, the original variety has died out in Britain but has continued to be extremely popular here in Canada. Heavy yields of round straight pale green pods with small smooth-skinned peas. Plants grow to about 3′ tall. and does well in cool soils.

Heirloom peas or garden peas originated in middle Asia, from northwest India through Afghanistan and adjacent areas. The second area of development lies in the Near East, and a third includes the plateau and mountains of Ethiopia.

Heirloom peas were one of the most widely grown vegetables of northern Europe during the Middle ages, as their description and cultivation was evident in almost every early gardening or agricultural book of any language in middle and northern Europe.