Snap peas are just like fan-favorite peas but with edible pods. Sugar Snap was the first snap pea. It was bred in 1952 from a shell pea mutant and a snow pea. Dont confuse snap peas for snow peas, as there are a few key differences. Snap peas have rounded pods, they aren’t thin, flat, and bendable like snow peas. The pod walls are thicker than snow peas, which makes them juicier and crisp.
Even though snap peas are usually planted in the spring, they could also be planted for a fall harvest if the weather is right. The plants grow pretty quickly; they’ll be out of your garden in about two months, so you can use that space to plant other crops that aren’t legumes.
If you love snacking on crispy, sweet sugar snap peas, why not grow your own? These tasty pod peas are easy to grow in spring and fall gardens. With proper planting and care, you can have an abundant harvest of delicious snap peas in under two months.
As an experienced gardener I’ve found sugar snap peas to be one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow. Let’s go over how to properly plant grow, and care for sugar snap peas so you can enjoy fresh-picked pods all season long.
Getting Started with Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are a cool weather crop in the legume family. They produce rounded, edible pods with plump peas inside. Snap peas thrive in cool conditions and can withstand frost. There are bush varieties and vining types that require trellising.
When choosing seeds or starts, look for disease-resistant snap pea cultivars suited for your climate. Some top picks include:
- Cascadia – High yields, 65 days to harvest
- Sugar Ann – Dwarf bush, matures in 60 days
- Sugar Snap – Vining, All-American Award winner
- Super Sugar Snap – Vining, disease resistant
Amend soil with compost or manure before planting. Peas prefer loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Full sun is ideal, but they will tolerate partial afternoon shade.
When to Plant Sugar Snap Peas
Timing is key when planting snap peas. They flourish in cool weather and won’t tolerate hot summers.
Spring: Plant 2-4 weeks before your area’s last expected frost when soil temperatures reach 45°F.
Fall: Sow seeds 8 weeks before first fall frost for a second harvest.
Avoid planting in midsummer when temperatures climb above 80°F. In warm zones, grow snap peas as a spring crop and choose quick-maturing varieties.
How to Plant Sugar Snap Peas Properly
It’s easy to plant snap peas from seed directly in the garden. Follow these simple steps:
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Loosen soil and mix in compost or fertilizer.
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Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep, spacing 4 inches apart in rows 18-36 inches apart.
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Water gently after planting and keep soil moist.
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Once sprouted, trellis vining varieties on nets, strings, or fencing for support.
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Use row covers at planting if frost is expected. Remove once the risk has passed.
For bush types, space rows 12-18 inches apart. Dwarf varieties can be grown without trellises in containers.
Caring for Sugar Snap Peas
With proper care, your snap peas will thrive:
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Water 1 inch per week if rain is lacking. Avoid wet foliage.
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Weed carefully to avoid damaging shallow roots. Mulch well.
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Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced organic product.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and treat promptly to avoid infestations.
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Provide support or trellising for vines to grow upright.
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Turn or stir soil lightly to promote airflow and drainage.
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Watch for powdery mildew and other fungal issues. Remove affected plants promptly.
When and How to Harvest Sugar Snap Peas
Check pods daily once plants start flowering. Harvest when pods are plump and glossy with small peas beginning to form inside – about 3-4 weeks after sprouting.
Hold onto the stem and snap pods off cleanly. For continual harvests, keep picking as pods mature. Refrigerate immediately after picking and use within 2-3 days. Overmature pods become starchy.
Enjoying Your Sugar Snap Pea Harvest
The beauty of homegrown snap peas is enjoying their sweet, crisp taste fresh from the vines. Here are some tasty ways to eat them:
- Snack on raw pods straight from the garden
- Toss whole pods into salads and slaws
- Stir fry with garlic, sesame oil, and ginger
- Steam or sauté pods briefly to retain texture
- Pickle pods for crunchy appetizers and snacks
With proper planning and care, you can grow abundant sugar snap peas in spring and fall. Just remember to give them cool conditions, fertile soil, consistent moisture, and ample vertical support. Soon you’ll be reaping the rewards of one of the easiest and most delicious crops for home gardens.
Harvesting
Snap peas can be picked 58 to 70 days after the seedlings appear, depending on the type. The pods should be plump and glossy and make the typical snap sound when broken in two.
Pick snap peas in the morning, because that’s when the pods are the plumpest. Consume them the same day, if possible, as their taste and texture deteriorate quickly. Pick often to keep the vines producing well.
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Pollination
As with other self-pollinating vegetables, snap peas do not require insects or wind for pollination.
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Want To Grow Sugar Snap Peas? My Tips
FAQ
Do sugar snap peas need to climb?
What month do you plant sugar snap peas?
Where is the best place to plant sugar snap peas?
How do you grow sugar snap peas?
Simply plant the pea seeds somewhere mild and shady and make sure they receive regular water. In 2-3 months, you’ll have a crop of crunchy, delectable peas that can be snacked on raw or added to your favorite wholesome recipes. Sow your snap peas at the end of the cold season. Sugar snap peas flourish in cooler temperatures.
What are the benefits of sweet peas?
Sweet peas contain many healthy nutrients such as fiber, vitamins B, C and K, manganese, copper, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and magnesium. They help with satiety, appetite regulation, and digestion improvement, lower the risk of developing heart disease, support the immune system, maintain and prevent macular degeneration and regulate blood sugar levels.
Are sugar snap peas easy to grow?
Sugar snap peas are easy and delicious garden crops. And they’re wicked easy to grow! Here’s why. Peas need fewer fertilizers than other crops. They’re also famous for their resilience. They rarely suffer from any insect pests. And we’ve never lost our pea harvest due to disease or blight.
How do I choose a sugar snap pea plant?
You’ll want a sugar snap pea type that will have time to mature before weather that’s too warm arrives in your area, and you’ll also require a variety you can grow in the space you have available, be that a trellised swath of garden patch or a far more modest container that can only hold four or five compact plants.