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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
03 Jul 17, Man (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I need to pull them out then?
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jul 17, Sam (Australia - tropical climate)
No, best to leave them and dig them into the soil as the nitrogen nodules on the roots are excellent for your veggie patch... all leafy veggies love this.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jun 17, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
My snow peas are growing well and providing plenty of pods but they are getting attacked by grabs/ caterpillars. Have picked off heaps of them. What can I do here. Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jun 17, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
I would spray them with Nature Way - caterpillar killer. This spray is natural, easy to use, and harmless to everything but caterpillars.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 May 17, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
The cooler the better for snow peas. Mine are 5 ft tall and no flowers at 7 weeks grown from seeds from last years crop. Drops to 9c at night and July august is 0-6. Dosen't faze them.Good rich soil with blood and bone and a bit of ozmacote and seaweed fertilizer gets them going like beasts. I was still picking heaps of peas in September last year. good stringing and trellis is very important. once they are going only the possums will stop them.They are a tougher plant than they look.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 May 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A couple of my earliest planted snow peas are starting to yellow off - planted seed back in mid Feb. Soil is rich and they receive plenty of water. My plants go yellow and mildew by about August. I usually only plant one crop a year but have another following this year. About 6 weeks old and 2' high now - growing well. Temps are in the 13-17 C area at the moment - will go down into high teens in July and August. Days around 26 now and down to low 20's in the future. I grow mine on wire netting 6' high.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My second lot of snow peas are now over 4' high and no sign of flowers yet. They are mammoth melting. Think I might try Oregon variety next year. A smaller bushier plant. I had corn growing in this area before the peas. I put some compost/mulch in the corn rows and also kitchen scraps. Dug the corn out and put a bit of fertiliser on it. Looks like it has too much nitrogen. Did read the other day not to put too much N on them.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 17, Lizi Hofer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My snow peas look great about 1 meter tall, but no flowers? They are under netting. Could this be the problem?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Jul 17, Man (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe it is 2 hot
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
How long have they been growing? Perhaps too early for flowers.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 188 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- Anonymous

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.