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

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.
25 Sep 17, ig (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, Does anyone know how many times the snowpea plant flowers? Is it for the one season and only once? Or is it several times in the season?
26 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From my experience they flower over several weeks / months therefore producing peas for several weeks / months. As they grow taller they flower more.
25 Sep 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Unlike green peas, snow peas only give one crop, although the fruiting might slightly staggered due to individual growth. Once you harvest the last of the crop, you should see the vines starting to die back. Pull it up.
Showing 51 - 60 of 215 comments

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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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