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

(Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		P	P	P

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

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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: Carrots, Endive, Florence fennel, Winter lettuce, Brassicas.
Avoid growing with: Chives, Alliums, Tomatoes

They are similar to garden peas but have a softer pod .

Snow peas are best grown in cooler seasons.They need some support when growing, tree prunings with lots of small twigs are a cheap and handy source. Or else strings between posts or wire netting. the peas need tying in the early stages, until they start producing tendrils and clinging to the support.

Will not grow well in hot weather. Protect seeds from birds and mice. Pick early and often before the pods become tough.

Start in pots in frost prone areas.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Snow Peas

Cook whole or eat raw in salads

Your comments and tips

11 May 13, Mike Croshaw (Australia - temperate climate): Do snow peas require potash?
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28 Apr 13, Kris (Australia - temperate climate): Hi We live in Perth and have just planted snow peas for the first time. The plants are still quite small (under 30cm) and the first one has a flower. We were wondering whether we should pinch it out and allow the plant to put its energy into growing more before it puts it into the peas? Looking forward to your reply. Thanks. Kris
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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate): If you get frosts, you could pinch it out and wait til spring for your snow peas. Otherwise just leave it and start eating in a few weeks!
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28 Apr 13, Kath Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate): I put in snow pea seeds a couple of weeks ago and the seedlings duly emerged but something is eating them right back to the root. What could this be and what can be done?
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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate): Possums? (They love their fresh greens!) Physical protection like chicken wire keeps them away. If you have mulch right up to the stems it could be slaters. Since I discovered this (I actually caught them in the act!) I just keep the mulch away till the plants are strong and sturdy. For shorter tender plants like lettuce, adding a physical barrier like a cut-down milk or soft drink bottle also helps (and helps keeping off snails & slugs too).
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28 Oct 12, Tamara (Australia - temperate climate): My snow peas have a powdery mildew on the leaves. How can i fix this? and what am i doing wrong?. Please help just a beginner
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19 Oct 12, Wendy Cork (Australia - temperate climate): My snow peas are still producing in October but have powdery mildew. Should I pull them out so it won't spread to other veges such as tomatoes and herbs and lettuce?
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15 Oct 12, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I've planted snow peas, they are up to my hip, but no signs of flowers yet, is that OK.
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10 Oct 12, Karina (Australia - temperate climate): Is it ok to move my growing snow pea plant?
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30 Sep 12, Sylvia (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I have Snow Peas growing and look great, flowers etc do I need to pinch out the top so they bush out. The packet said they grew to approx 90 cm. and they are to about that now.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Snow Peas

Replying to:

Flowers but no fruit suggests something is lacking in the soil. A good serve of Sulphate of Potash every fortnight will help. Sulphate of Potash is excellent for plants such as capsicum/ tomato/ beans/ egg plant/ zucchini. While not all plants need bees to produce fruit - a Greek Basil or two in any garden will attract a lot of bees. I potted a Greek Basil last February and it has been flowering (purple and very strong smelling) consistently in spite of some really cold days and nights. If you do get a Greek Basil, you might consider keeping it in a pot so it can be moved to where you want bees to pollinate the plants. Good luck!

- Judith

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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.

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