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
    S S S S S S        
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P P      

(Best months for growing Snow Peas in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

05 Nov 19, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have just noticed a few snow peas coming up.They self seeded.Do you think they will survive the heat of spring / summer? I hope so ,but doubt it very much...as it is going to be 36 degrees later this week. Must have popped up with that little burst of rain the other week.The area is fairly well mulched too. Also, how can I get rid of green shield bugs on tomatoes?
07 Nov 19, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They may grow alright. The mulch will keep the soil temp down a bit and if you have anything that can provide some shade protection when it is in the 30's. Some protection for some of the day, like a shade cloth wall. Keep the water up to them. My peas are producing now and for another week or two - temp today 33.
23 Oct 19, Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my snow peas don't grow
27 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Without knowing what kind of soil you have, how friable it is, how fertile, what the weather is like it is a big guess. Soil temperature and soil fertility would be the main reasons probably.
04 Sep 19, Louise Barton (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted snow pea seedlings a month ago and they’ve hardly grown at all. Only a couple of centimetres although they have all produced little pea pods. They are in a wicking bed in sun for 5-6 hours a day and have been watered regularly.
05 Sep 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Things generally don't grow much in July and August - the cold. Things not growing sounds like lack of fertiliser. I'm sub-trop and my snow peas are growing steadily about 300mm high - no flowers and we are having temps 8-13 night and 26-33 days.
23 Jul 19, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in mid-north South Australia and my Snow Peas are now over four foot tall but as yet I have had no flowers. Have I put too much nitrogen into my soil and what would be a good crop to plant after I pull out my spent snow pea plants. Thanks Jools
25 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Some varieties grow very tall - I buy Oregon giant from Boondie seeds. Flowers from about 60-80cm high. Beans and peas put N back into the soil, so plant something like lettuce cabbage tomatoes corn.
22 Jul 18, CaptainGBK (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm quite new to gardening so i don't know much. Can snow peas grow well in soil with clay lumps in or should i clear the clay. Thx
23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Short term solution. Water the soil today and tomorrow give the clay lumps a bash with a rake or hoe to break them up. Add some manures, mulch, compost to soil and mix it all up good.
Showing 21 - 30 of 188 comments

peas are relatively pest resistant apart from, perhaps, slugs. The main problem you can have with peas is Powdery Mildew, a white powder on the leaves. This can be controlled with a fungicide or with a spray made from 10% milk (any sort) in water. This spray is used by organic growers.. Trust this helps

- John Mauger

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