How to String Up Snap Peas

Peas are one of the oldest vegetables in our history--archaeologists found peas in Egyptian tombs. Sugar snap peas are usually eaten fresh; unlike their hard skinned counterparts, their pods can be eaten as well. Sugar snap peas need to be spaced evenly in the vegetable garden and require some form of support to enable them to grow tall. However, only the taller varieties need staking.

Things You'll Need

• 6-foot garden stakes
• Garden twine

Instructions

1. Measure your garden area. You will need one stake per two feet of garden space used for sugar snap peas.

2. Insert each stake a foot into the ground. The stake should be firm and not wobble when light pressure is applied.

3. Tie one end of a piece of garden twine to the first stake, six feet up from the soil. Pull the garden twine taut (but not so tight as to bend the stake) and wind tightly three times around the second stake. The twine should be evenly spaced from the ground and horizontal from one stake to the next.

4. Cut the twine when you reach the last stake, leaving six inches of excess twine. Wrap the twine around the last stake three times and tie in a knot.

5. Add another layer of twine to the stakes as your sugar snap peas grow. The peas will automatically hook onto the twine and grow upwards.

Tips & Warnings

• The stakes should be inserted into the ground when your plants are less than a foot tall.

• You may need to "tease" your plants initially. They should be gently encouraged to grow upwards instead of along the ground.

References

• Centers for Disease Control
• Veggie Gardening Tips