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

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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
If you get frosts, you could pinch it out and wait til spring for your snow peas. Otherwise just leave it and start eating in a few weeks!
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28 Apr 13, Kath Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
I put in snow pea seeds a couple of weeks ago and the seedlings duly emerged but something is eating them right back to the root. What could this be and what can be done?
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19 Sep 13, Green Finger (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had the exact same problem. I had the garden surrounded with chicken wire, and bird netting over the top to keep out wallabies and possums. It wasn't until I draped the bird netting around the chicken wire on the sides that IT stopped eating my snow peas. Must have been either birds, or rodents small enough to get through chicken wire.
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18 May 18, Tam (Australia - temperate climate)
Slugs and snails love the young snow peas seedlings. I used snail pallets to stop them.
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10 Jun 13, Camille (Australia - temperate climate)
snails and slugs also love these when young. I put plastic bottles over to protect along with coffee grounds for defence. plant in bulk, 3 per hole. thin when strong.
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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
Possums? (They love their fresh greens!) Physical protection like chicken wire keeps them away. If you have mulch right up to the stems it could be slaters. Since I discovered this (I actually caught them in the act!) I just keep the mulch away till the plants are strong and sturdy. For shorter tender plants like lettuce, adding a physical barrier like a cut-down milk or soft drink bottle also helps (and helps keeping off snails & slugs too).
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28 Oct 12, Tamara (Australia - temperate climate)
My snow peas have a powdery mildew on the leaves. How can i fix this? and what am i doing wrong?. Please help just a beginner
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19 Oct 12, Wendy Cork (Australia - temperate climate)
My snow peas are still producing in October but have powdery mildew. Should I pull them out so it won't spread to other veges such as tomatoes and herbs and lettuce?
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15 Oct 12, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've planted snow peas, they are up to my hip, but no signs of flowers yet, is that OK.
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21 Jun 13, Hazel Hodge (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have tried to grow Snow peas a couple of times. The first time I couldn't manage the amount of peas that were produced, the second time I didn't get any at all. I think the best tip is to plant the seeds early enough for the plants to flower before a big frost, maybe March/April, it seems they need to flower b4 it gets too cold. I planted later the next time and no flower's (too cold) so no peas! I hope this helps.
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Showing 111 - 120 of 188 comments
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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.

- Craig

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