Desiree is a very productive and frost resistant variety with very beautiful violet-purple flowers and dark purple pods. The marrow fat peas are brownish yellow and full of flavour. Harvest the pods when they're young and tender. The marrow fat peas can be frozen to store. This plant needs support. Height: 75-80 cm.
Indoor sowing: from half january
Outdoor sowing: march-half may
Sowing depth: 2 - 3 cm
Germination temp. : 16 - 22°C
Germination: 12 - 21 days
Sowing in rows: 40 - 45 cm
Plant position:sunny
Days till harvest: 90-120 days
Sow from january on for an early harvest indoors in a unheated room or outside under glass. Sow in trays with some potting soil every couple of centimeters 1 seed. Cover with a thick layer of soil and keep the soil moist. Harden the seedlings of in march for about 10 days outdoors during the day. Plant them on a sunny plot with free draining soil.
Sow outdoors from march on. Sow on a sunny plot and cover the seeds with a thick layer of soil. Give the plants a firm and sturdy support with some gaze.
Pick the pods regurlarly to stimulate the growing of new pods. Protect the plants against birds with a net. Give the plants a good watering every day and during dry spells. Harvest the pods when they're thick and full. Shell the pods and this is a pretty dirty job. The pods can be kept for about 2 - 3 days in de fridge.