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

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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.
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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
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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.
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29 Mar 19, Jacqueline Burel (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can seeds for sugar snow peas be planted in april?
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31 Mar 19, liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They like cool weather to grow well, so April might be a bit late in your zone.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 215 comments
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Planted snow peas 3 times in same place starting in July then August then September. Apart from an occasional plant nothing has come up. Peas grew fine there previous years and peas of same make growing in other parts of the garden. I live in Wellington. Is something eating them and what can I do? Nearest plants are baby potatoes. Spring so far has been mild rest of garden very happy

- Thorsten Stanley

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