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 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 May 10, Heyden (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Why do my organic snowpeas have tiny brown spots all over the peas and flowers, they also seem to be stunted a little? How can i fix this problem organically?
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22 May 10, Jessica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I just recently moved into a house with an established vegie garden and there are snow peas in there. I was wondering whether to remove them now and sow next year or keep them for a second year as they are? thanks.
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23 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snow peas should grow well through the winter so if they are fairly young plants then I would keep them. If they've already finished podding then rip them out.
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26 May 10, Jessica (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks for the tip! The plants have finished poddong so I'm going to get rid of them. Is there anything I can plant to make use of the trelise that is still there?
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27 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I know it's not ideal to plant the same thing in the same spot repeatedly because of pests building up in the soil, but you could put in some more snowpeas for this season, maybe digging in a bit of compost first.
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17 May 10, pauline ferguson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
is it ok to use fertilizer such as worm wee.ie from a worm farm and then water it down to 1in 10 dilution or is this too strong
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19 May 10, Annaliese (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I use the liquid from my worm farm at a 1 to 8 dilution on my vegetable garden which seems to work quite well. With my indoor tropical plants I can use the liquid straight. - Annaliese
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18 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I always heard that diluting to 'weak tea' colour is the way to go. Admittedly I drink tea quite strong so I expect I don't dilute enough, but they seem to survive.
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12 May 10, sara (Australia - temperate climate)
They might need to just grow a bit longer. A bit too late for you, but a pinch or two of potash in the trench when you plant is good for peas.
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19 May 10, Annaliese (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, pot ash from a fire? Or can you buy this from a nursery?
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Showing 191 - 200 of 215 comments
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Snow peas grow fast - my kids LOVE them because of this. TIP: Make sure you have a trellace or something for them to climb on right away because if they don't have anywhere to climb, they will start to become really "sad". Also - roots can go VERY deep, so make sure there's room downwards as well. I used to pot them, but learned quickly that the roots travel too far for small pots.

- Annalisa

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