Snow Peas
Type: Annuals
Description: These types of peas are small with thin transluscent pods, the best varieties of snow peas t ogrow are dwarf or bush varieties. Dwarf versions are much smaller so they thrive in smaller spaces and bear earlier, they also do not need trellising. Snow pea plants stop producing when temperatures hit 75 degrees.
When to plant: Early Spring for cool regions, in January for warmer regions. Gardeners in warm areas can also plant in september for winter harvests. Many gardeners in a cool areas can start in mid-late summer for fall harvests.
Level of difficulty: 5
How to plant: Snow peas are sweet and delicious!
Tips/Facts/Uses:
Description: These types of peas are small with thin transluscent pods, the best varieties of snow peas t ogrow are dwarf or bush varieties. Dwarf versions are much smaller so they thrive in smaller spaces and bear earlier, they also do not need trellising. Snow pea plants stop producing when temperatures hit 75 degrees.
When to plant: Early Spring for cool regions, in January for warmer regions. Gardeners in warm areas can also plant in september for winter harvests. Many gardeners in a cool areas can start in mid-late summer for fall harvests.
Level of difficulty: 5
How to plant: Snow peas are sweet and delicious!
- If outside temperatures stay consistant at about 40 to 45 degrees, it is safe to start your seeds outside.
- Use a large, light colored plastic pot. 16x14x12 is good for growing snow peas (especially the dwarf variety).
- 1 inch above the bottom of the plastic pot, drill ¼ to ½ drainage holes about 3 inches apart.
- To settle the soil, pickthe container up about 3-4 inches off of the ground and drop it flatly.
- Put it in a sunny spot and water the soil to make it moist, not soggy.
- Plant the seeds 1 inch deep, and once inch apart in rows 2 to 4 inches apart.
- After the seeds sprout, thin the plants to 2 inches apart. When planting snow peas, they need to be close as they grow so they can provide support for each other.
- Give the snow peas a half an inch of water a week.
- After the snow peas bloom, up the watering to an inch a week. Never over water/make the oil soggy, but also do not let the soil go dry. As your peas grow the amount of water they will need can vary.
- Add 1 or 1 ½ inches of organic mulch to the soil when the peas hit 4-5 inches tall. This helps the soil to retain its moisture and helps to keep the peas cool.
- Snow peas typically mature 5 to 7 days after blooming. For Dwarf varieties they are 2 to 2 ½ inches at full maturity. Pick snow peas when you can see slight sweelings in the pod where peas are developing. The peas can mature as often as everyday so keep picking to encourage your plant to have more production!
- Immediately rinse your harvest under cold water, pat dry and dry them VERY WELL. Place in clear ziploc bags and stick em in your fridge or freeze them. The sooner you eat them, the better!
Tips/Facts/Uses:
- Dwarf varieties of peas don’t need a trellis. But as your peas grow, you can still put a trellis if you want. Definitely put a trellis if you are not growing a dwarf variety.
- Use in stir frys and soups!
- Roast them with seasonings!