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

11 Feb 09, Ivan Alesich (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I look after a vineyard on Waiheke Island the soil is in not very good condition and was thinking of planting snow peas in the winter and after harvesting the snow peas was intending to mulch the plants. A) do you think this would be of benefit to my soil and B) would snow peas grow in the clay soils of Waiheke Island. Look forward to feed back, thank you
13 Sep 10, Ryan h (Australia - temperate climate)
Ivan, Mulching the plants after the crop would be a great idea. Snow peas indeed can grow in clay soil. fertilize a little first and you should be fine, i planted alot of seeds in my clay soil and they all germinated and are happily growing! Just keep well watered as clay soil cakes easily.
Showing 11 - 12 of 12 comments

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.

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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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