An easy to grow, unusual vegetable with a unique gourmet flavour. A hint of asparagus - perhaps? Asparagus Pea goes with virtually any dish. Cook whole at 3cm (1in) long, preferably by steaming, and serve with a little melted butter. No flavouring should be used as this will destroy its own delicious taste.
Asparagus Pea can also be used in the flower border as attractive ground cover.
Customer RatingReviews
unusual vegetable
By valerie gundle 30-07-2011
Large seeds are easy to sow and grow into an unusual and decorative, low-growing plant. Pick the pods when young and steam. Expensive seed but worth it for a great-tasting and unusual veg.
Sow seeds under glass in pots in early spring or outdoors in late spring. Under glass sow seeds individually in 7.5cm (3in) pots in a good seed compost. Germination usually 7-14 days at 19-21C (65-70F).
Harden off and plant out 30cm (12in) apart when all risk of frost is gone. Sow outdoors 10cm (4in) apart in well raked soil in rows 30cm (12in) apart. A little twiggy support will help but is not essential. They prefer a good well drained garden soil and should be watered in dry weather.
Pick pods regularly while young and tender. Don't allow them to get more than 3cm (1 in) long. Their brick red pea-like flowers make them a very attractive pot-plant indoors in a well lit position, or border edgings outside.