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

31 Aug 20, Mandy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Are snow peas better to be staked and do they grow up tall like beans or not so high? (Gardenate : see info here /www.gardenate.com/plant/Snow Peas?zone=5 )
01 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There are snow peas that can grow over 2m tall. Then there are some that grow to 1.2-1.5m. In sub tropical Australia I grow Giant Oregon, to about 1.2-1.5m. Good heavy producer. You need to build a trellis for them to grow on. I have 2 posts 2.4m apart and 1.8m out of the ground. A cross beam at the top to stop them falling inwards. I use chicken wire as my trellis. Plant about 15 peas each side of the wire. Then I put 3-4 stakes (15-18mm square) on each side. I then wrap cord/twine/?? around the stakes and posts, each 150-200mm up the posts, for the plant to grip onto.
Showing 11 - 12 of 12 comments

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.

- anonymous

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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