When to Harvest Super Sugar Snap Peas?

You can eat the snap pea pods.

Super sugar snap peas are some of the sweetest snap peas available. In addition, their vines often grow twice as many snap peas as other varieties. The pods of super sugar snap peas are eaten along with the beans inside and are excellent eaten raw, steamed, in casseroles or stir fried. Super sugar snap peas are generally easy to grow and a cinch to harvest.

How Long

Super sugar snap peas are usually planted in the spring after the soil has warmed and is workable after the cold winter. They are ready to harvest about 60 to 65 days after planting. Harvesting usually lasts three to four weeks.

Flowering

Note when your super sugar snap peas flower. They are ready to harvest five to eight days after flowering. Different snap pea plants will flower at different times over a course of three to four weeks. So, harvest your snap peas every few days.

Characteristics

Sugar snap peas are harvested while they are still immature. They are full size in length, about 4 inches long, but the peas inside are small and have not begun to swell. The pods should be firm and crisp when harvested. Once the pods begin to swell, they begin to lose their crispness and are not as good to eat.

How to Harvest

Simply pull over sugar snap peas to harvest them. Use one hand to hold the stem from which the pods grow and the other to pull the pod. Carry a basket or bucket with you to easily carry your harvest. Use the snap peas as soon as possible or store in the refrigerator for a few days before use. If you plan to freeze or can your snap peas, do so within a couple hours after picking.

References

• Utah State University; Peas in the Garden; Dan Drost; June 2010
• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Peas and Snap Beans in the Home Garden; Marianne Riofrio
• Botanical Interests: Super Sugar Snap Pea