Side by side

Compare seeds

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 Shoots vs. Bell Pepper vs. Acorn Squash

The comparison

Pea Shoots vs. Bell Pepper vs. Acorn Squash

Units
Growing facts for Pea Shoots, Bell Pepper and Acorn Squash, side by side
Fact
Pea ShootsPisum sativum
Bell PepperCapsicum annuum
Acorn SquashCucurbita pepo
DifficultyEasyModerateEasy
Life cycleAnnualNot yet verifiedAnnual
Sowing depth2.5–4 cm1–1½ in6 mm¼ inNot yet verified
Days to maturity50–70 days from sowing70–85 days from transplantingNot yet verified
SunFull sunFull sunFull sun
WaterModerateNot yet verifiedModerate
ContainersYesYesNot yet verified
Frost toleranceNot yet verifiedTender (no frost)Not yet verified
Soil pHpH 6.0–6.5Not yet verifiedpH 6.0–8.0
Toxicity to catsNot yet verifiedNot yet verifiedNon-toxic
Toxicity to dogsNot yet verifiedNot yet verifiedNon-toxic
Links

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Pea shoots growing in a white openwork pot beside dried peas on a silver trayVegetables

    Pea Shoots

    Pisum sativum

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    Garden pea (Pisum sativum) is a green-leaved annual that climbs with tendrils and does best in full sun in moist but well-drained soil.

    How to grow pea shoots
  • Green bell pepper fruit growing on a pepper plant among broad green leavesVegetables

    Bell Pepper

    Capsicum annuum

    Difficulty: ModerateGrows in pots

    A sweet, mild pepper that needs a long, warm season. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, then grow it in full sun, in the ground or in a large pot.

    How to grow bell pepper
  • Acorn squash growing on the vine among large leaves and a yellow flower in a garden bedVegetables

    Acorn Squash

    Cucurbita pepo

    Difficulty: Easy

    Acorn squash is a sprawling annual vine that prefers full sun and moderately moist soil. It is easy to sow from seed when the soil is warm, and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

    How to grow acorn squash

Keep comparing

Try another matchup

Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.

The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    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.

  3. Timing

    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.

  4. Light and water

    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.

  5. Space and weather

    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.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

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

Questions about comparing

How many seeds can I compare?
Two or three at a time. Pick them in the boxes at the top, or start from any seed's page with “Compare with another seed”.
Can I share a comparison?
Yes. Every comparison has its own address, like /compare-seeds/?seeds=pea-shoots,bell-pepper, so you can copy the link from your browser and send it.
Where do the facts come from?
From each seed's profile. Every fact there is researched and reviewed by our editors before it goes live.
Can I see metric or imperial units?
Both. The table picks the units that match your browser's language, and the switch above it changes them. Your choice is remembered in this browser.
Do I need an account?
No. Comparing seeds, like every page on SeedBattle, is free and needs no account.

Found your seed?

Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.