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 8°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 cm 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

22 Mar 09, Matt (Australia - temperate climate)
Growing snow peas weather conditions too hot though, if it helps i know they don't like full sun or summer conditions and they don't like he wind either... i guess Geraldton is a bad place to grow snow peas They seem to be surviving though with lots o tender loving care and fertilizer
14 Mar 09, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Melbourne and have been growing snow peas for years, in autumn/winter. Just a few plants were enough to pick for a quick stirfry once a week , the pods were ready to pick just 3-4 days after flowering. I did break up the clay soil in my garden and dig in plenty of manure and organic matter. They are very susceptible to powdery mildew, typically, the new growth just about 'outrun' the mildew which would of course have started with the older growth. I don't use pesticides, but still managed to get a good crop. I am not an expert on mildews etc but to be on the safe side, I don't use the plants as mulch. They would need trellises and shelter from strong winds as the stems are very soft. Good luck.
11 Mar 09, Jeneara (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
As with all legumes, snow peas host beneficial bacteria, rhizobia, that fixes nitrogen in the soil — this is called a mutualistic relationship and are therefore a useful companion plant, especially useful to grow intercropped with green, leafy vegetables that benefit from high nitrogen content in their soil. (wikipedia)
11 Feb 09, Ivan Alesich (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I look after a vineyard on Waiheke Island the soil is in not very good condition and was thinking of planting snow peas in the winter and after harvesting the snow peas was intending to mulch the plants. A) do you think this would be of benefit to my soil and B) would snow peas grow in the clay soils of Waiheke Island. Look forward to feed back, thank you
13 Sep 10, Ryan h (Australia - temperate climate)
Ivan, Mulching the plants after the crop would be a great idea. Snow peas indeed can grow in clay soil. fertilize a little first and you should be fine, i planted alot of seeds in my clay soil and they all germinated and are happily growing! Just keep well watered as clay soil cakes easily.
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