Pea 'Douce Provence'

Where to Plant
Choose a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Good drainage is especially important for autumn-planted peas, as cold, waterlogged ground can cause plants to struggle over winter. Before planting, remove weeds and work in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure to improve the soil.

Planting
Plant your established plugs carefully without disturbing the roots, setting them at the same depth they were growing in their plugs. Gently firm the soil around them and water thoroughly. Keep newly planted peas watered while they establish if autumn conditions are dry.

Watering & Feeding
Once established, peas growing in the ground generally need little watering during cool, damp weather. Water during prolonged dry spells and pay particular attention when the plants begin flowering and pods are developing, as adequate moisture at this stage helps the pods fill successfully.

Peas growing in fertile soil generally need little additional feeding. Well-rotted compost or manure incorporated before planting should provide a good foundation. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which can encourage lots of leafy growth rather than flowers and pods. Container-grown plants have fewer nutrients available, so once flowering begins they can be given a high-potash liquid feed, such as tomato feed, following the manufacturer's instructions, to support flowering and pod development.

Winter Protection
'Douce Provence' is well suited to autumn planting, but young plants can still benefit from protection during severe winter weather. In colder or exposed gardens, cover plants with horticultural fleece or a cloche during periods of hard frost and cold winds. Good drainage is equally important, so make sure plants aren't sitting in waterlogged soil through winter.

Supporting Your Plants
Although 'Douce Provence' is compact, its tendrils naturally cling as it grows and some support will help keep the plants upright and the developing pods off the ground. Insert twiggy sticks, pea netting or short canes close to the plants so the tendrils have something to grip. Providing support also improves airflow through the crop and makes the pods easier to find at harvest time.

Pests & Problems
Watch for slugs and snails around young plants, particularly during damp weather. Aphids, pea and bean weevils and pea moth can also affect peas. Birds, especially pigeons, may damage young growth, so netting can be useful where they are a problem.

Peas can occasionally be affected by powdery or downy mildew, root rots and other fungal diseases. Avoid overcrowding, provide good air circulation and keep plants growing strongly without allowing the soil to become waterlogged.

Good Companions
Peas can be grown alongside lower-growing leafy crops such as lettuce and spinach, helping you make productive use of the space around the rows. Flowers nearby can also help bring pollinators and other beneficial insects into the vegetable garden.

Make the Most of the Space
The compact growth of 'Douce Provence' makes it useful in raised beds and smaller vegetable gardens. Position other crops so they won't interfere with the pea supports or become shaded as the plants fill out in spring.

Crop Rotation
Peas belong to the legume family, along with broad beans and other beans. Avoid growing peas or beans in exactly the same position year after year. Rotating them with other vegetable groups helps reduce the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases.

After Harvest
Like broad beans, peas form nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots. Once the plants have finished cropping, cut them off at soil level and leave the roots in the ground to break down naturally. Healthy top growth can be added to your compost heap.

Top Tip:
Because 'Douce Provence' crops early, have your next crop planned so you can make use of the space once the final peas have been harvested.

When to Harvest
Autumn planting gives 'Douce Provence' a head start towards an early crop the following year. Start checking the lowest pods first, as these generally mature before those higher up the plants.

When Are They Ready?
Pick shelling peas when the pods look plump and well filled but still feel fresh and tender. Don't leave them until the pods become tough or dry, as the peas inside become larger and less sweet as they mature.

Pick Regularly
Check the plants frequently once harvesting begins and pick mature pods regularly. This encourages the plants to continue producing flowers and pods rather than putting their energy into ripening old peas.

Enjoy Them Fresh
The natural sugars in freshly picked peas gradually convert to starch after harvesting, so they're at their sweetest when eaten as soon as possible after picking.

Top Tip:
Don't wait until every pod is ready. Start at the bottom of the plants and pick little and often for the sweetest peas and a longer cropping period.

Flavour
'Douce Provence' produces tender peas with the fresh, naturally sweet flavour that makes homegrown peas such a treat. Pick the pods while they're plump and well filled for the best combination of sweetness and texture.

Best Enjoyed
Freshly shelled peas need very little cooking. Steam or simmer briefly and serve with butter, or add them to risottos, pasta dishes, soups, salads and spring vegetable dishes. They're also delicious eaten raw straight from the pod when young and tender.

Storage
For the best flavour, eat freshly picked peas as soon as possible. If you need to store them, leave the peas inside their pods and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to use them.

Freezing
Peas freeze extremely well. Shell them, blanch briefly in boiling water, cool quickly in iced water, drain thoroughly and freeze in portions.

Top Tip:
Only shell your peas just before you need them. Keeping them protected inside their pods until you're ready to cook helps preserve their freshness.

Plug Plants
Supplied as healthy young plants with well-developed roots, plug plants are ready to be planted straight into their final growing position or potted on if preferred. Water well on arrival and keep the compost evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger, stronger and ready to plant straight into the garden. They establish quickly, giving you a useful head start towards your harvest.

9cm Potted Plants
Supplied in individual 9cm nursery pots, these well-established plants are ready to plant straight into vegetable gardens, raised beds or allotments. Simply plant, water thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist while they settle in.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and give them a thorough watering. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a cool, sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and drying winds, ensuring the compost remains moist until you're ready to plant.