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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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 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

05 Sep 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Things generally don't grow much in July and August - the cold. Things not growing sounds like lack of fertiliser. I'm sub-trop and my snow peas are growing steadily about 300mm high - no flowers and we are having temps 8-13 night and 26-33 days.
23 Jul 19, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in mid-north South Australia and my Snow Peas are now over four foot tall but as yet I have had no flowers. Have I put too much nitrogen into my soil and what would be a good crop to plant after I pull out my spent snow pea plants. Thanks Jools
25 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Some varieties grow very tall - I buy Oregon giant from Boondie seeds. Flowers from about 60-80cm high. Beans and peas put N back into the soil, so plant something like lettuce cabbage tomatoes corn.
29 Mar 19, Jacqueline Burel (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can seeds for sugar snow peas be planted in april?
31 Mar 19, liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They like cool weather to grow well, so April might be a bit late in your zone.
22 Jul 18, CaptainGBK (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm quite new to gardening so i don't know much. Can snow peas grow well in soil with clay lumps in or should i clear the clay. Thx
23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Short term solution. Water the soil today and tomorrow give the clay lumps a bash with a rake or hoe to break them up. Add some manures, mulch, compost to soil and mix it all up good.
23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Type in how to break up clay soil into google and read up. Use gypsum. If you are about to plant now take the clay lumps out if not too many. In future prepare your soil in the 2-3 months before you want to plant by putting on the gypsum and add some compost - put your lawn clippings and dry leaves in the soil wet the soil and turn it over with a shovel each 2-3 weeks. Also add some loan soil or sandy soil if you can.
22 Jul 18, lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
My snow peas have not flowered they where planted june 1st & they only get part sun. They have grown half way up my 6 foot trellis. What can I do to help the flowering process Lyn
23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends on the variety you buy. There is one Yukomo Giant - it grows to 4-5' before it flowers and then grows to 8-10' tall. Buy Oregon from Boondie seeds - it is a smaller bush plant. I grow this one.
Showing 41 - 50 of 215 comments

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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