Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Pea vs. Green Bean
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Life cycle | Annual | Annual |
| Germination time | 7–10 days | 7–10 days |
| Germination temperature | 13–18 °C55–64 °F | Not yet verified |
| Days to maturity | Not yet verified | 50–60 days from sowing |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Containers | Yes, 7.6 L or largerYes, 2 gal or larger | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy | Tender (no frost) |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
Fruits & otherPisum sativum
A cool-season crop you sow in early spring, because the plants shrug off frost. Grow shelling, snap or snow peas up a support and pick the pods often for the sweetest harvest.
How to grow peaVegetablesPhaseolus vulgaris
An easy, fast-growing warm-season vegetable you sow straight into the garden after the last frost. Compact bush types suit pots; climbing pole types need a trellis and crop for longer.
How to grow green beanKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Pea vs. Green Bean vs. AlfalfaAdd alfalfa as a third
Pea vs. Green Bean vs. American PersimmonAdd american persimmon as a third
Pea vs. Green Bean vs. Apple TreeAdd apple tree as a thirdPea vs. AlfalfaPea against another seed
Green Bean vs. Acorn SquashGreen Bean against another vegetablePea vs. American PersimmonPea against another seedThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
