Growing Snow Peas, also Sugar Peas, Mangetout, Chinese Peas

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P              

(Best months for growing Snow Peas in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 3 - 4 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Endive, Florence fennel, Winter lettuce, Brassicas.
  • Avoid growing close to: Chives, Alliums, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

09 Oct 10, Andrew (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When will snow peas start producing the pods? Does flowering mean they are not going to? Thanks :)
09 Oct 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Andrew, the pods will follow the flowers - if there are some bees around to pollinate them. When the flowers begin to die off, there should be a tiny pod left. Give them a few days to grow.
31 Jul 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my snow peas are growing fairly well but the leaves are curled as though they haven't fully opened.
13 Jul 10, Antechinus (Australia - temperate climate)
Plants can't get nutrients from the air (except carbon, which isn't really a 'nutrient' because it's essential from any growth). They all get nutrients from the soil by some method. Peas and other legumes (plus wattles) have symbiotic bacteria in their roots that 'fix' nitrogen, meaning peas can get at and concentrate soil nitrogen much more efficiently than other types of plants. This means they don't need as much fertiliser as other vegies do and are good to dig into the soil to concentrate plant-available nitrogen for future crops. I assume that they're still pretty hungry for other nutrients though - so a bit of fertiliser won't go astray.
20 Dec 10, David (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Need to know what type of fertlizer I should use on my climbing peas there is good growth and some flowering however they look like they need some encouragement, maybe a specific fertiliser or tonic eg Seasol???
27 Feb 11, Bug (Australia - arid climate)
Anything will do, a side dressing of compost and rock minerals (or complete trace elements) will be all that is needed for the most brilliant green pods. Cheers
29 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
pretty sure peas get most of their nutrients from the air. they don't like heavily composted ground I believe. I wouldn't use commercial fert. but some worm juice might be okay. avoid watering leaves. adding potash to soil before sowing is good as well.
28 Jun 10, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
When growing snow peas do you need to fertilise them?
07 Jun 10, mick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how long do snow peas take to grow?
30 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
12-14 weeks
Showing 181 - 190 of 215 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Snow Peas

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.