Gardening and Snap Peas

Sugar snap peas make nitrogen available to surrounding plants.

Sugar snap peas are a sweet, juicy pea that can be eaten raw. According to Oregon State University Extension Service, they are a cross between the garden pea and the edible-pod pea. Sugar snap peas are generally easy to grow in the garden.

Time Frame

Peas grow best in cool, moist weather. According to the University of Illinois Extension, peas can be planted when the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant heat-tolerant pea varieties in summer.

Planting Location

Peas require a full-sun location with well-drained, fertile soil. They do best in a neutral or slightly alkaline soil.

Planting

Plant peas 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart with 18 inches between rows. Provide sugar snap pea plants with a stake or trellis on which to grow.

Watering

If there is no rainfall, water peas deeply once a week. Plants require the most water when they are flowering and fruiting.

Fertilizing

Peas are light feeders and should be fed only once or twice during the growing season. The National Garden Bureau recommends feeding with a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.

Harvesting

Harvest sugar snap peas every one to three days. Peas left on the vine too long become tough and fibrous.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Peas
• Oregon State University Extension: Peas Can Go into Garden Soonest
• Oregon State University Extension: Peas and Edible Pea Pods
• National Garden Bureau: Year of the Pea

Resources

• Ohio State University Extension: Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Sugar Snap Peas