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

23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Type in how to break up clay soil into google and read up. Use gypsum. If you are about to plant now take the clay lumps out if not too many. In future prepare your soil in the 2-3 months before you want to plant by putting on the gypsum and add some compost - put your lawn clippings and dry leaves in the soil wet the soil and turn it over with a shovel each 2-3 weeks. Also add some loan soil or sandy soil if you can.
22 Jul 18, lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
My snow peas have not flowered they where planted june 1st & they only get part sun. They have grown half way up my 6 foot trellis. What can I do to help the flowering process Lyn
23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends on the variety you buy. There is one Yukomo Giant - it grows to 4-5' before it flowers and then grows to 8-10' tall. Buy Oregon from Boondie seeds - it is a smaller bush plant. I grow this one.
05 Jul 18, Duong Nguyen (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in South Australia.My questions ,when the best month to start seedling (grow)the snow peas ?.Thank u .
05 Jul 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check the info on this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Snow Peas?zone=2
15 Jan 18, Bass-Tone (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it not wiser to cut down snow peas at the seasons end rather than pull out nitrogen fixating bacteria. Secondly, shouldn't we keep root crops away from legumes? ?
03 Jun 18, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
If you are wanting to return the nitrogen that legumes accumulate back to the soil, then you're better off digging the plants in just as they start to flower. As the beans/legumes develop from flowers, they use up the nitrogen nodules they build up during growth on the roots and by the end of the season, at least 97% of the built up nitrogen is gone. Put simply; if you want beans, then compost plants at the end of season. If you only want to add nitrogen rich green matter to the soil, dig the plants in once flowers are developed, but before fruit begins to form.
17 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't really know what you are getting at here. After a crop has finished, there is not much sense leaving it. Cut down the vine and throw it away (diseased) or chop it up and use as mulch/compost. Dig the soil up and prepare for the next planting. Legumes put N back into the soil so best to plant a leaf crop - lettuce cabbage etc.
19 Dec 17, Hamish Magill (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know on average how many pods you get from a snow pea plant?
19 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bit of a guess - from 20-40.
Showing 31 - 40 of 188 comments

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

- Julie

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