How to Support Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar snap peas are not only delicious and easy to cook, they are very easy to grow. They love to trail and to wend their way upward; all you need to do to support sugar snap peas is to give them something to climb. They will grab on by themselves, so unlike many other vines, you don't have to worry about securing sugar snap pea vines to their supports. Many gardeners simply grow sugar peas next to an existing structure that they can climb on their own. If you don't have a pre-existing structure, start out with a support structure that is fairly large; the biggest mistake new gardeners make is underestimating how big their plants are going to get.

Things You'll Need

• Plant stakes
• Wire bean cage
• 6-foot lengths of pipe, PVC or 4x6 planks
• Concrete mix
• Optional:
• Fallen tree limbs
• Branches leftover from pruning

Instructions

1. Plant dwarf varieties of sugar snap peas very close together, no more than 2 to 3 inches apart. They will lean on each other as they grow, and that is all the support they need. If you prefer to support them, use plant stakes available at any home improvement store or garden center.

2. Use fallen limbs and the leftovers from pruning to support medium-sized varieties, and those that haven't reached their full growth. Place branches no more than 4 feet long into the ground next to the peas. Leave on smaller limbs and shoots for the peas to climb.

3. Support a few medium to large sugar snap pea vines by purchasing or making a wire bean cage, which is a simply a cone made of open wire with plenty of places for the vines to cling to.

4. Support the tallest, fullest peas by sinking 6-foot lengths of metal pipe, PVC or 4x6 wooden planks set into a little concrete. Run wire fencing or trellis netting between the uprights for the sugar snap peas to climb.

Tips & Warnings

• Attach a long piece of chicken wire to the side of the building, and attach the bottom to the ground, behind a row of sugar snap pea plants, so they can climb the wall like ivy.

References

• University of Illinois Extension Website: Watch Your Garden Grow

Resources

• VeggieGardeningTips.com has more information on how to support sugar snap peas.