Carouby de Maussane is a time-honored French heirloom snow pea that produces some of the largest pods in the species, often stretching 5 to 6 inches long. The vigorous vining plants reach 5 feet and bear striking bicolored flowers that shift from pink and burgundy through purple to nearly sky blue, making them ornamental enough for flower borders. Ready to harvest in 65 days, this variety delivers succulent, robust-flavored pods that vary subtly from plant to plant, adding interest and character to stir-fries and fresh salads. It thrives in full sun and prefers temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it well-suited to spring and fall gardening in most climates.
Full Sun
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6-9
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The real standout here is the sheer size of the pods, consistently reaching 5 to 6 inches, they're among the largest snow peas available. Beyond productivity, the bicolored flowers are genuinely beautiful, shifting through pink, burgundy, purple, and sky blue as they mature, giving the trellis ornamental appeal alongside your harvest. What clinches it is the flavor: these pods are described as succulent and robust, with natural variation from plant to plant that makes each picking feel a bit like opening a gift.
Snow pea pods are eaten whole, pod and all, typically raw in salads or lightly cooked in stir-fries where their crunch and sweetness shine. The succulent, robust flavor and generous pod size make Carouby de Maussane particularly suited to any preparation where the pod itself is the star of the dish rather than a supporting player.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as soil is workable, or in late summer for a fall crop. Snow peas germinate best in cool soil and actually prefer direct sowing to transplanting, which can damage the delicate root systems.
Begin harvesting when the pods reach 3 to 4 inches long and are still tender and fully edible in their entirety, typically around 65 days after sowing. Snow peas are best picked young before the peas inside begin to bulge visibly; older pods become stringy and tough. Harvest by gently pinching the pod from the vine to avoid damaging the plant, and check plants every few days as they produce continuously during their growing window.
No pruning is necessary for snow peas. Allow the vining plants to climb their trellis or support structure naturally; the robust growth habit of this variety means it will fill the available space generously.
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“This French cultivar carries the name of its origin, the village of Maussane in Provence. Like many European heirloom vegetables, it was preserved by seed savers and specialty breeders who recognized its exceptional pod size and ornamental qualities, eventually making its way into the collections of heirloom seed companies devoted to maintaining older varieties.”