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

10 Oct 12, Karina (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it ok to move my growing snow pea plant?
30 Sep 12, Sylvia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have Snow Peas growing and look great, flowers etc do I need to pinch out the top so they bush out. The packet said they grew to approx 90 cm. and they are to about that now.
06 Jun 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have so many snow pea plants and so many flowers, but no snow peas. Why would that be?
22 Aug 12, Judith (Australia - temperate climate)
Flowers but no fruit suggests something is lacking in the soil. A good serve of Sulphate of Potash every fortnight will help. Sulphate of Potash is excellent for plants such as capsicum/ tomato/ beans/ egg plant/ zucchini. While not all plants need bees to produce fruit - a Greek Basil or two in any garden will attract a lot of bees. I potted a Greek Basil last February and it has been flowering (purple and very strong smelling) consistently in spite of some really cold days and nights. If you do get a Greek Basil, you might consider keeping it in a pot so it can be moved to where you want bees to pollinate the plants. Good luck!
29 Jun 12, Justine (Australia - temperate climate)
Its usually because of the absence of bees. At this time of year it can be a challange to get bees into the garden. Just wait a little bit longer, and you will have heaps of snow peas!
02 Sep 12, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Peas of all types are all self pollinating. You don't need any bees to get pods.
19 Apr 12, IB (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Planted snow peas in a no dig garden about 2 weeks ago. Plants were a nice green at the time of planting. They are slowly going yellow. (The whole plant) They are in a well drained sunny position. Any suggestions why they are slowly turning yellow. Are they missing something?
29 Mar 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Dig lime into the soil before planting for a sweeter crop
28 Feb 12, graham williams (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown snow peas from punnet in january and obout to start picking my 1st lot of 15to20 peas at the end of febuary they are growing in soil that has 2yr old chicken manure given to me they are looking great
15 Dec 11, Cygnetian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Following the planting month advice above for my region, I planted snowpeas last September (or possibly October) and have just had to pull them all out as they developed a bad case of powdery mildew. Upon further reading elsewhere, this makes sense, as snow peas are not meant to be grown in hot weather, and it is now summer. Given that they are harvestable in 3-4 months, I think the absolute latest that one should sow them is August (in this region). They could possibly be sown as early as February and March, though. Another useful bit of advice I discovered was to completely avoid foliar watering, since snow peas are so susceptible to fungal diseases.
Showing 121 - 130 of 188 comments

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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