Sugar snap peas are a versatile and easy-to-grow garden treat that produce sweet, crisp pods that can be eaten as a snack, cooked in stir-fries, or added to salads. Find out how to grow and take care of sugar snap peas from seed to harvest, as well as important tips and tricks to make sure you get a big, healthy crop.
Sugar Snap Peas (Pisum sativum) are my favorite type of peas and the only kind I grow. The tasty and snappy pods are reason enough to grow them, but I won’t complain about the fact that they do best in cool weather and can be planted early in the spring.
As someone who doesn’t really like asparagus, I know
Although they don’t grow as quickly as radishes, sugar snap peas are one of the first summer treats to arrive. They are crispy and sweet, and they have a beautiful growth habit.
Growing your own vegetables is extremely rewarding. Not only does it allow you to enjoy fresh produce, but it also saves you money at the grocery store. If you don’t have a large garden space, don’t worry! Many vegetables can be grown successfully in containers right on your patio or balcony. One of my favorites to grow this way is snap peas.
Why Grow Snap Peas?
Snap peas are a crisp, sweet pea variety that is eaten pod and all. I love growing them because:
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They are extremely easy to grow Snap peas thrive in containers and don’t require much maintenance
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You get two vegetables in one. You eat the pod along with the peas!
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They are expensive to buy. A small basket of snap peas at the store can cost $3-4. Growing them yourself saves money.
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Kids love helping harvest them Snap peas are fun for little fingers to pick
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You can eat them right away. No shelling required like standard peas.
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They are extremely versatile. Eat them raw, stir fry, roast, or add to salads.
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They grow quickly. You’ll be harvesting peas just 2 months after planting.
The Best Containers for Growing Snap Peas
You can use any type of container to grow snap peas as long as it meets a few requirements:
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At least 12 inches wide and deep. Snap peas have long roots and need a deep pot.
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Drainage holes. Good drainage is key to prevent rotting.
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A trellis or support structure. Peas need something to climb and grab onto as they grow upwards.
Some good pot options are:
- Plastic nursery pots or buckets
- Wooden planter boxes
- Hanging baskets
- 5-gallon fabric grow bags with built-in handles
My favorite container for peas is an upside down tomato cage placed inside a pot or bucket. The “legs” of the cage act as a built-in trellis! Just make sure the pot fits snugly inside the top ring of the cage.
How to Plant Snap Peas in a Pot
When to plant:
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Spring is ideal. Plant 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost when soil temps reach 65°F.
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Fall planting is possible in some climates. Start seeds 8-10 weeks before your first expected frost.
Follow these simple steps:
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Fill container with high quality potting mix and add fertilizer if desired.
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Place 3-5 pea seeds 1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart in a circle around the outer edge of the container.
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Set up trellis in center of pot and gently press soil over seeds.
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Water soil thoroughly after planting and keep moist.
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Once sprouted, thin to 3 healthy seedlings evenly spaced around pot.
Tip: Planting pea seeds around the outer perimeter maximizes your container space since peas grow outwards.
Caring for Snap Peas
Growing snap peas in pots is easy with proper care:
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist 1-2 inches down. Water daily in hot weather.
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Sun: Ensure 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is ideal.
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Fertilize: Work slow release granular fertilizer into soil at planting. No additional fertilizer needed.
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Support: Once plants are 4-6 inches tall, gently twist tendrils around trellis to encourage climbing.
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Harvest: Pick pods when they are plump and peas are visible inside. Avoid overripe yellow pods.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing peas in containers comes with some potential issues. Here’s how to prevent them:
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Leggy growth: Insufficient sun. Move to area with 6+ hours of direct light.
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Wilting/yellowing leaves: Underwatering. Check soil moisture and water pots more frequently.
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Curled leaves: Aphid damage. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap spray.
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Pod rot: Overwatering or excessive humidity. Improve drainage and air circulation.
How to Harvest and Store Snap Peas
One of the best parts of growing veggies at home is enjoying the fruits of your labor! Here’s what you need to know:
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When: Begin checking pods 2-3 weeks after blooms appear. Pick when plump with visible peas.
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How: Gently pinch the stem right behind the pod and pull down to remove.
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Storage: Refrigerate unwashed peas in a perforated plastic bag for 5-7 days maximum.
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Yield: Expect 8-12 pods per plant. Pick frequently to encourage more pod production.
Don’t worry about harvesting every single pea. Letting some over mature on the vine signals to the plant to keep producing more pods.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Snap Pea Harvest
The beauty of growing your own snap peas is taking them straight from the vine to your plate! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Raw as a snack
- In spring rolls or summer rolls
- Added to green salads
- Sauteed and tossed with pasta
- Added to fried rice or stir fries
- Roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper
- Pureed into soup
- Pickled
Such a versatile veggie! I love turning my snap pea bounty into easy sides, salads, and other quick dishes. The homemade flavor can’t be beat.
Sowing Sugar Snap Peas
Plant the seeds 1″ to 2″ deep, about 4″ apart, and firm over with soil. Water thoroughly. If you plant in rows, make sure the rows are at least 18 inches apart so that each plant has enough room to grow.
Install a trellis, fence, or vertical netting at the time of planting, right up against the seed row. Tall vining plants will start to climb as soon as they sprout, so putting up supports when you plant them will keep the plants and their roots from getting hurt later.
Make sure that the support structure is tall enough. My sugar snaps usually tower over me, and I’m 5’5″!.
There’s no need to tie or clamp the vines to the fence; the sugar snap pea plant’s tendrils will find anything to stick to and will easily find and climb the supports.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease. Water more frequently during hot, dry periods.
Sugar snap peas fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, so they generally don’t require additional nitrogen fertilization. A balanced fertilizer or a layer of compost can be added to the side of plants that look stunted or are slow to bloom, though.
Harvesting Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are ready to harvest approximately 60-70 days from planting, depending on the variety. If you want to plant a purple variety, pick them when the pods are full, bright green, and the seeds inside are a good size.
Harvest regularly to encourage more pod production. Healthy plants will continue to produce until the heat of summer halts growth.
How To Grow Peas In Containers – Step By Step From Planting To Harvest
FAQ
Do snap peas grow well in containers?
Do sugar snap peas need to climb?
How big of a pot do sugar snap peas need?
Do snap peas like full sun or shade?