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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21 Dec 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Snow peas grow best in cooler weather. See here www.gardenate.com/plant/Snow Peas?zone=2
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05 Nov 19, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have just noticed a few snow peas coming up.They self seeded.Do you think they will survive the heat of spring / summer? I hope so ,but doubt it very much...as it is going to be 36 degrees later this week. Must have popped up with that little burst of rain the other week.The area is fairly well mulched too. Also, how can I get rid of green shield bugs on tomatoes?
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07 Nov 19, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They may grow alright. The mulch will keep the soil temp down a bit and if you have anything that can provide some shade protection when it is in the 30's. Some protection for some of the day, like a shade cloth wall. Keep the water up to them. My peas are producing now and for another week or two - temp today 33.
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23 Oct 19, Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my snow peas don't grow
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27 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Without knowing what kind of soil you have, how friable it is, how fertile, what the weather is like it is a big guess. Soil temperature and soil fertility would be the main reasons probably.
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10 Oct 19, Thorsten Stanley (New Zealand - temperate climate)
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
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11 Oct 19, anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Seeds like peas, beans, corn etc need to be planted in damp soil and then not watered for 3-4-5 days. If hot put some shade over them until they germinate. July and August are probably the worst months to try and germinate seeds along with Jan and Feb. Coldest and hottest times of the year. Soil temperature may have been a problem. Look up a temperature germination chart. Also try some crop rotation. If seeds haven't germinated in a reasonable amount of time have a gentle dig around to try and find them. See if they are ok or rotten.
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10 Oct 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you have used seeds from the same packet each time, it might be the seeds. Try a different brand. Egmont seeds seem pretty reliable and have an on-line catalogue.
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18 Dec 23, Graham (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have you tried pre-germinating your seed? I soak peas beans, and all my cucurbits overnight in blood-warm water. Also, I hope that NIWA long-range forecast for rain is correct! Good luck with your gardening.
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04 Sep 19, Louise Barton (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted snow pea seedlings a month ago and they’ve hardly grown at all. Only a couple of centimetres although they have all produced little pea pods. They are in a wicking bed in sun for 5-6 hours a day and have been watered regularly.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 215 comments
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pretty sure peas get most of their nutrients from the air. they don't like heavily composted ground I believe. I wouldn't use commercial fert. but some worm juice might be okay. avoid watering leaves. adding potash to soil before sowing is good as well.

- Natalie

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