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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
12 Feb 14, Kit Kat (Australia - temperate climate)
Why cant they grow with chives?
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Jan 14, mick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
the frosts start here mid april and can be constant when should i plant snow peas
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Dec 13, Kitty (Australia - temperate climate)
And don't throw the snow pea leaves away- delicious sauteed with garlic!
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Oct 13, Tiffany (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all, Does anyone have any experience growing in SEQLD in spring? Will it definitely be too hot or is it worth a try? I was thinking of putting them in the shade of my corn so they wouldn't get much direct sun. Thanks :-)
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Aug 13, craig (Australia - temperate climate)
let a few snow peas go until the pods are ready to open as this is naturally how they reproduce. replanting peas from a successful plant gives 10 times better seedlings than mass produced seedling factory types. The new plants are produced from a plant in that soil and climate not a greenhouse in another state. Try not to use any pesticides and hang a couple of mothballs to keep possums away. liquid fertiliser once a week is a certain winner.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jul 13, Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted snow peas in May growing great. Vines are favourites of my chooks. Lots of white flowers little pods. When do pods start appearing? Also looking at getting some seeds for next year. How do I do that?
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jul 13, Germaine (Australia - arid climate)
I grow them yearly, just keep some of the peas and dry them out and plant again next year, it works for me
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Jun 13, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted snow peas live in dandynong area but after 2+ monts still small at 1 foot is this normal just a beginner help
Reply or Post a new comment
11 May 13, Mike Croshaw (Australia - temperate climate)
Do snow peas require potash?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Apr 13, Kris (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi We live in Perth and have just planted snow peas for the first time. The plants are still quite small (under 30cm) and the first one has a flower. We were wondering whether we should pinch it out and allow the plant to put its energy into growing more before it puts it into the peas? Looking forward to your reply. Thanks. Kris
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 101 - 110 of 188 comments
See comments for all plants

I am in Victoria australia, new house new garden and two plants came up in garden in separate places. I thought when they came up and saw two tone flowers that they were sweet peas. Although much stronger leaves and vines. Looked again today and underneath there are a lot of pea pods. I thought they were normal peas with different colored flowers until I saw the post about these Heirloom snow peas that grow quite large. I opened a pod and seeds inside quite full, so not sure about eating them if they get bigger They either blew here or came in soil mix we brought and put in garden. I do grow normal snow peas these are much stronger. They have been growing there for quite a few months Noticed them about May/June. I was a bit scared to eat them, that is why I started investigating

- Shirley

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.