Khesari Kalay Shak Seeds | Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus) Seeds | Bangladeshi Kalay Shak for Home Garden

Khesari Kalay Shak Seeds grow into Lathyrus sativus, commonly known in English as Grass Pea (also called chickling pea, chickling vetch, Indian pea, or white pea). Across Bangladesh and the wider South Asian diaspora, the tender young leaves and shoots of this plant are harvested as a beloved leafy green, locally known as Khesari Shak or Kalay Shak, and cooked into traditional shak dishes. In the U.S. home garden, this same hardy legume is gaining attention among backyard growers for its rapid growth, nitrogen-fixing roots, climbing pea-like vines, and clusters of soft blue-violet flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.

Mahin Agro brings this heirloom variety to American gardeners who want to grow an authentic taste of home, or who are simply looking for an easy, productive, dual-purpose crop that improves garden soil while producing edible greens.

Key Features

• Grows into Lathyrus sativus (Grass Pea) — known regionally as Khesari Shak or Kalay Shak
• Fast-germinating, vigorous climbing vine reaching up to about 4 feet (1.2 m)
• Tender young leaves and shoots are harvested as a traditional leafy green
• Produces clusters of attractive sky-blue to violet pea-like flowers
• Naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil, making it a useful soil-enriching companion crop
• Non-GMO seed stock
• Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including poor and heavy clay soils
• Well suited to raised beds, backyard plots, and trellis or fence-line growing
• Cool-season annual, ideal for spring or fall sowing in most U.S. climate zones

Why Gardeners Love It

• A genuine taste of home for Bangladeshi and South Asian American gardeners who grew up eating Khesari Shak or Kalay Shak
• Low-maintenance and forgiving for first-time growers, thanks to its tolerance for varied soil conditions
• Doubles as a living soil improver, since the nitrogen-fixing roots benefit neighboring plants and future crops
• Attractive flowering vine that adds ornamental interest to vegetable beds, trellises, and fences
• A practical, productive crop for gardeners interested in heirloom and heritage vegetables not commonly found in mainstream U.S. seed racks

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Annual climbing legume (vine)
• Growing Season: Cool season — early spring or early fall sowing recommended
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Adaptable to light, medium, and heavy soils; prefers moist, well-drained conditions
• Germination: Generally 7–14 days under suitable conditions
• Spacing: Allow room to climb; trellis or support recommended for best growth
• Harvest (Greens): Young leaves and shoots can be harvested as they develop, typically beginning a few weeks after germination
• Harvest (Seed Pods): Pods mature later in the season as the plant flowers and sets seed

Ideal For

• Bangladeshi and South Asian American home cooks growing traditional shak greens
• Backyard and raised-bed vegetable gardeners
• Organic and natural gardening enthusiasts
• Gardeners interested in nitrogen-fixing cover crops
• First-time growers seeking an easy, low-fuss leafy green
• Trellis and vertical-garden growers

A Note on Safe Preparation

As with many traditional legumes, mature Lathyrus sativus seeds contain naturally occurring compounds that should not be consumed raw or in large quantities as a primary food source over an extended period. Young leaves and shoots have long been used as a cooked leafy green in South Asian cuisine, and mature seeds, where consumed, are traditionally soaked and thoroughly cooked before eating, consistent with long-standing culinary practice for this crop. This seed listing is intended for home gardening and cultivation purposes. Gardeners interested in culinary use should research proper traditional preparation methods and consume any harvest as part of a varied, balanced diet.

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