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Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

_Marley_
Building a Reputation

Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

I love eating snow peas and sugar snaps, but they are very expensive to buy. I want to grow some this winter. I've had a go at snow peas before and wasn't very successful - just didn't get much of a crop at all. Anyone got any tips?

greygardener
Becoming a Leader

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

Not sure where you are based but make sure you have a nice sunny spot. You need plenty of sunshine - at least 5 or 6 hours a day.

 

Are you going to grow from seeds or seedlings? Be careful with seeds - you want damp soil but don't water them initially as the seeds can rot.  

Alicia
Building a Reputation

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

Following this one as I'd also like to grow sugar snaps.

Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

@_Marley_@Alicia

 

We just planted some on the weekend. We turned the soil over, mixing the old pea straw into the soil, added some compost, then planted the seedlings about 10cm apart. We've got a few cages that they can climb on. We then put down some new pea straw and watered them in. See here for some pictures. A few days later I gave them some seaweed solution. We had great success in the same spot with tomatoes so I'm hopeful we'll get a decent crop of peas. If any green thumbs can add further tips for success, I'd love to hear them.

 

Jason 

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Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

Hi @Noelle,

 

Hope all is well.

 

Just wondering whether you might be able to add your tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps? 

 

This has been a popular discussion and obviously there's heaps of interest in growing your own produce at the moment.

 

Thanks,

 

Jason

 

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Noelle
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

Sugar snaps and snow peas do well in most climates over the cooler months of the year. They are not frost-tender so can be sown right through winter even as far south as Melbourne although they will do better if sown in autumn or spring when soil warmth will improve germination and early growth. They don't like too much heat - over 30 deg C pollination of the flowers will be poor, the pods will mature rapidly and overall yields will be lower.

These peas grow best when sown direct although seedlings may transplant reasonably well in the home vegie patch.  Sow seeds about 20-30mm deep and 100mm apart in rows.

Both peas are quite vigorous so some form of support is required to keep the plants and pods up off the soil. Stakes at each end of the rows and wires or strings at 200mm above the soil and 400mm above the soil should be sufficient.

Keep soil moist but not wet following germination. A water-soluble or liquid fertiliser may be used every couple of weeks to keep plants growing well - one suitable for vegetables and herbs should do the trick.

Snow peas should be picked when the pods are 75-100mm long and 25mm wide so they are still young, tender and still flat - usually about 10-14 days after flowering. If the peas have started to develop, the pods may be tough and unpleasant to eat.

Sugar snaps are usually picked when the pods are about 75mm long and the peas are reasonably well developed in the pods.

Both types may producer harvests for between four and six weeks so they are well worth growing!

 

 

 

Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: Tips for growing snow peas and sugar snaps

Fantastic advice as always @Noelle, thank you so much for sharing. 

 

Jason

 

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