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 8°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 cm 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

06 Dec 16, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted Snow Peas early November, and I'm not getting much growth and are slightly yellow at base of stem. I'm getting flowers and fruit but not many. What can i do to get them to grow better, taller?
07 Dec 16, shaz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Snow peas are a winter crop, I'm sure of it, that could be your problem. I only grow them in winter.
03 Nov 16, david wade (Australia - temperate climate)
snow peas healthy plants lots of flowers not many pods?
19 Jul 16, Edna Sabile (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm at Southern Highlands at Marulan, our temperature here is very cold always below 4 degree centigrade and a lot of times is minus below zero. I did not plant anything for the last 3 months because I'm worried with frost. Can really any of those plants suggested for those months survive the frost? Frost came so early as early as May so all my plants died. I want to start planting as suggested like onions, lettuce this month or next? What else i can plant?
09 Sep 16, sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in branxton hunter valley and we get frost tho not as cold as marulan and plant snow peas all through winter :)
01 Jun 16, Bruce Pederick (Australia - temperate climate)
I have snow peas growing. They are growing tall (supported) plenty of foliage but hardly any peas. I pick one or two once or twice a week. Is it the wrong time of the year? (Shepparton Victoria)
30 May 16, Jodie McConnell (Australia - tropical climate)
I have just recently begun growing veggies . I have raised the beds and am using an organic soil mix. Unfortunately the lettuce were as bitter as can be and inedible my snow peas have died the beetroot is alive but not flourishing the tomatoe's are struggling also and the zucchinis are producing the odd one off zucchini. I have been using seasol every two weeks and watering 3 times a week.I live in south east Brisbane What am I doing wrong? Jodie
03 Jun 16, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
Seasol is a plant tonic which is good for assisting with transplant shock but it's not a fertiliser. If your new organic soil mix doesn't have many nutrients available (ie no established soil food web, earthworms etc) then your plants are likely hungry and need an actual fertiliser (conventional or organic) which includes NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and trace elements. Snow peas are a cooler weather crop prone to powdery mildew in humid conditions, which might be why they failed. Female zucchini flowers (those with a baby zucchini at the base, the males just have a thin stem) require pollination on the day they open or their fruit dies off.
02 Jun 16, Nancy (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe too much watering? Only water when the soil is dry. Maybe stop using the seasol as well - I've never used that before, but I know if you put too much nutrients plants can die as well. Good luck.
12 Apr 16, Cassie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The advice seems conflicting. Plant snowpeas now (first frosts expected this week and then seriously downhill) but the plants apparently dont like frost. Can someone sort this one out for me?
Showing 71 - 80 of 188 comments

This is a somewhat late reply I'm afraid but it may help you in the coming 2021 year. Peas are just pollinated by wind so bees are not required. Giving the flowers a little shake after they form may help but this is unlikely to be your issue if your peas are not very well wind shielded. Mostly I would be concerned that you are posting this in August (peak frost time!) As I understand pea flowers will go sterile if the flowers are hit by frost. I think that this web site is incorrect in advising people to plant peas as early as April. I would recommend not putting peas in the ground any earlier than June. My wife loves peas and so I plant peas twice a year to maximize yield. I put one set down in July and another in September.

- Richard

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