Desiree is a purple-podded pea that tastes as good as it looks. Compact plants around 70 to 80cm tall, easy to support with a low net or pea sticks. The dark purple pods are straight and plump, each about 8 to 9cm long with 7 to 8 sweet peas inside.
The purple colour makes them easy to spot at harvest time. Children love finding them among the foliage. Early variety, so you can sow from March for a June harvest.
ðą Sowing depth: about 3â4 cmâ
ð Â Sow:Â from March to June in open ground, with the main sowing period in spring; in mild, sheltered gardens you can try an extra early sowing from late February, and a late sowing in July for a small autumn crop
âïļ Light: full sun, with some tolerance of light shadeâ
ðĄïļ Germination: in cool, moist soil at typical peaâgrowing temperaturesâ
ð Height: approx. 70â80 cm, halfâtall habitâ
ðŠī Spacing: 3â5 cm in the row; 50â60 cm between rowsâ
âģ Harvest: early variety; pods usually ready from around 60â70 days after sowing, depending on sowing date and conditionsâ
