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 46°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 3 - 4 inches 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 May 10, Jessica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I just recently moved into a house with an established vegie garden and there are snow peas in there. I was wondering whether to remove them now and sow next year or keep them for a second year as they are? thanks.
23 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snow peas should grow well through the winter so if they are fairly young plants then I would keep them. If they've already finished podding then rip them out.
26 May 10, Jessica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks for the tip! The plants have finished poddong so I'm going to get rid of them. Is there anything I can plant to make use of the trelise that is still there?
27 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I know it's not ideal to plant the same thing in the same spot repeatedly because of pests building up in the soil, but you could put in some more snowpeas for this season, maybe digging in a bit of compost first.
30 May 10, Heyden (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Why do my organic snowpeas have tiny brown spots all over the peas and flowers, they also seem to be stunted a little? How can i fix this problem organically?
07 Jun 10, mick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how long do snow peas take to grow?
30 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
12-14 weeks
28 Jun 10, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
When growing snow peas do you need to fertilise them?
29 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
pretty sure peas get most of their nutrients from the air. they don't like heavily composted ground I believe. I wouldn't use commercial fert. but some worm juice might be okay. avoid watering leaves. adding potash to soil before sowing is good as well.
13 Jul 10, Antechinus (Australia - temperate climate)
Plants can't get nutrients from the air (except carbon, which isn't really a 'nutrient' because it's essential from any growth). They all get nutrients from the soil by some method. Peas and other legumes (plus wattles) have symbiotic bacteria in their roots that 'fix' nitrogen, meaning peas can get at and concentrate soil nitrogen much more efficiently than other types of plants. This means they don't need as much fertiliser as other vegies do and are good to dig into the soil to concentrate plant-available nitrogen for future crops. I assume that they're still pretty hungry for other nutrients though - so a bit of fertiliser won't go astray.
Showing 21 - 30 of 215 comments

Desert climate. Sun exposed parsley grows through fall, winter & spring. Will planting parsley in shaded area during summer/hot 110 degrees temperatures help or will the heat destroy plant? Geraniums will not normally survive the summer months in shade or sun exposure.

- Ray Wilson

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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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