Pea 'Douce Provence'

'Douce Provence' is a classic round-seeded pea variety that is particularly valued in the UK for its extreme hardiness. This allows it to be sown in the autumn (October or November) for an exceptionally early crop in May, or in early spring. It is a dwarf variety, typically reaching only 45-60cm in height, which means it requires minimal support compared to climbing peas—a few short twigs or pea sticks are usually sufficient. The plants produce a prolific number of small to medium-sized pods, each packed with 6-8 sweet, succulent peas. Because it is round-seeded, it is much more resistant to rotting in cold, wet winter soils than wrinkled-seeded varieties. It is an excellent choice for successional sowing to ensure a constant supply throughout the early summer. Growing these peas also benefits the garden soil by fixing nitrogen. They prefer a cool, moist root run and should be kept well-watered once flowering begins to ensure the pods fill out well.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, moisture-retentive loam.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.