Growing Your Own Snow Peas From Seeds

Snow Peas :: How to Grow Snow Pea Plants from seed

Growing snow peas from seed is simple in the right climate. Snow peas prefer a cool moist climate, so the winter in the Southern states Australia is ideal. Other Information. Snow peas do require some support. They are similar to other peas but with an edible pod and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in stir fry.

Snow Peas are a favorite in asian cuisine used widely in stir fry dishes. A well drained humus rich soil with a climbing frame is best. Pick them when they young and juicy.

WHEN DO I PLANT SNOW PEAS ?

In the late autumn (while the soil is still warm) or winter. Flowers will start to form when the weather warms up a little.

HOW TO PLANT SNOW PEAS

All peas like a slightly alkaline soil with a pH 5.8 - 6.8 for ideal conditions. Lime can be added to adjust ph however most soils with some well rotted compost and manure added 2-3 weeks before planting will be OK for snow peas.

Snow peas are a climbing pea so they will need a frame to climb on, as young plants are tender we suggest putting this in place before planting the seeds to prevent damage. A simple sturdy frame made from wire, trellis or bamboo around 1.5 to 2m tall will do the job nicely.

We generally plant seeds directly to the soil and then thin out a little if we have to many, and as germination is usually good we sometimes replant the excess seedlings in another part of the garden.

Plant seedlings at 10 cm intervals. Seeds can be planted closer and then pricked out to an appropriate distance. Snow peas do not seem to require a lot of fertilizer.

Once the seeds germinate give them a hand to start the climbing process by attaching them to the frame, once they get going they will do the rest.

CULTIVATION and CARE of SNOW PEAS

Given a sunny position and adequate water snow peas will need little care, good air flow is important and we use a vermicaste tea from the worm farm as fertilizer once every two weeks to give them a boost. Humid conditions are one of the few problems, however if you are planting in autumn this should not be an issue.

WHEN to HARVEST or PICK SNOW PEAS

As soon as they are large enough to eat, the smaller the sweeter, pick them in the cool of the morning.

And once the crop has finished, chop up and dig in the plant as a gene manure, or compost them.

Watch out for snails, and give the young seedlings a hand in finding the support frame, but don't break the stems.....

Snow peas can be planted from April right through to October and are ready to harvest within 10 - 12 weeks.

Yakumo Snow Peas are one of our favorite varieties, really pretty purple flowers followed by large flat snow pea pods. They are tender and sweet, especially if picked young, great for salads ( unless you eat them before you get them inside).

Dwarf Gray Sugar is a smaller growing variety that does not require such a large trellis

Greenfeast, Telephone and Massy Gem are other snow pea varieties to consider.

Yakumo Snow Pea Seeds from an Organic supplier

After two weeks our Snow Pea Seedling have just germinated and are ready for a climbing frame.