Dwarf Pea Piccolo Provenzale– Heritage Variety by Franchi Seeds

Pea Piccolo Provenzale (Pisum sativum L.) is a rustic dwarf heirloom variety, affectionately known as ‘Petit de Provence’. This small, country‑style pea is prized for its flavour and traditional charm. Compact plants produce abundant pods filled with sweet peas, making it an excellent choice for home gardeners and heritage seed enthusiasts.

Featured on the BBC programme “Grow Your Own” with Carol Kline in January 2007, this variety has a long history of reliability and taste. With approximately 200 seeds per packet (70 g), Piccolo Provenzale is perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or adding to soups and risottos.

🌱 Sowing information

• Sow from February to mid‑May for spring crops, and again from July to end of November for autumn sowings.
• Plant seeds 3–5 cm deep in drills spaced 40–45 cm apart.
• Compact plants require little support, making them ideal for smaller gardens.

☀️ Light exposure

Prefers full sun for strong growth and sweet pods. Partial shade is tolerated but may reduce yields.

💧 Water needs

Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod formation. Avoid waterlogging.

🌡️ Germination temperature & time

Seeds germinate at 7–18 °C, usually within 7–14 days.

📏 Plant spacing & final size

Space plants 5–8 cm apart in rows 40–45 cm apart. Mature plants remain dwarf, around 40–50 cm tall.

🌼 Harvesting notes

Harvest pods when plump and filled with sweet peas. Pick regularly to encourage further production.

Bullet Technical Data

• 🌱 Sowing depth: 3–5 cm
• 📅 Ideal planting months for Ireland: February–mid May and July–end November
• ☀️ Light requirements: Full sun; partial shade tolerated
• 🌡️ Germination time: 7–14 days at 7–18 °C
• 📏 Plant height: 40–50 cm (dwarf)
• 🪴 Spacing: 5–8 cm between plants, 40–45 cm between rows
• ⏳ Days to maturity: 65–75 days depending on sowing date
• 🧪 Approximate seeds quantity: about 200 seeds per packet (70 g)

🌱 Tips & Tricks for Growing (Garden Expert Section)

• Ideal for small gardens thanks to compact growth.
• Sow successively for staggered harvests through spring and autumn.
• Companion plants: carrots, beans, lettuce, radishes.
• Rotate crops after peas to enrich soil with nitrogen for brassicas or leafy greens.
• Harvest pods regularly to encourage continuous production.

🍴 Garden-to-Table Recipe (for 4 people)

Rustic Pea Piccolo Provenzale & Herb Salad

• 250 g fresh peas (Piccolo Provenzale)
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh parsley and mint
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method – step-by-step

1. Blanch peas briefly in boiling water, then cool.
2. Combine peas, cucumber and onion in a bowl.
3. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper into a dressing.
4. Toss salad with dressing and garnish with parsley and mint.

Serving suggestions & variations
Serve chilled as a summer side dish. For variation, add feta cheese or toasted pine nuts.