Pisum sativum 'Avola'

Peas, Pisum sativum, are easy to grow, producing masses of pods loaded with sweet-tasting peas that can be eaten raw or cooked, and used in salads, stir-fries and as a traditional accompaniment to meat dishes. The sweetness of peas quickly diminishes after picking, so it's best to eat them as soon after harvesting as possible.

There are many pea varieties to choose from, ranging from early maturing peas that can be sown in autumn and are ready to harvest in June, to maincrop cultivars that don't mature until October. Dwarf varieties don't need staking but produce fewer pods, while sugar snap and mangetout peas are the easiest to grow.

Pisum sativum 'Avola' is hardy first early pea variety with a compact growth habit. It's ideal for growing in containers and small gardens, where it will yield impressive crops of tender pods of up to eight succulent and sweet peas. Surplus crops of Pisum sativum 'Avola' can be frozen for use later in the season.