Question
Dear Mike,  My pea plants got off to a great start early summer but after a lot of hot dry weather they have almost all turned quite white and the growth is stunted.  I have had some delicious peas but no more are growing.  I have watered them religiously every evening from when they were in flower.  Do you think this is a hot weather problems (temps here in the Dordogne, France have been in the 30s, around 78 degrees for a while.  Or could it be a virus, or fungal diseas, in which case can you recommend an organic treatment.  Best wishes, Judy

Answer
Judy, peas are considered a cool-weather crop.  They like conditions between 55F and 75F.  Once the temperatures remain consistently above 75F, they stop producing.

I always sow a spring crop in early April and a fall crop in early September.  I replace the peas with bush beans during the hotter summer months.

Good luck, and have a great day.

Regards,

Mike