A cross between a Snow Pea and a Garden Pea, Sugar Snap Peas are easy to grow, tasty and come in both dwarf and climbing varieties.
These are the tender sweet peas that are great when cooked, however we think that Sugar snap Peas are even better eaten raw in a salad. They look like ‘fat snow peas’ and generally have bigger peas. The difference between ‘Sugar Snap’ and normal peas is that the pods are less fibrous.
Growing Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar Snap Peas are one of the delights of the vegetable garden, sweet to eat fresh or cooked, productive plants and easy to grow.
Unless you are growing the dwarf varieties, you will need a trellis as these are climbing peas and if planted at the right time of the year will reach a good height.
A raised garden bed and some good compost will see peas get to around 2m. we suggest staggering planting over 2 months as they are heavy croppers and this will stagger production. Peas do not need a really fertile soil, and in fact help fix nitrogen back into the soil
Place the trellis or wires in place before planting seeds directly and consider planting some green leafy salad vegetables between them.
Plant seeds just below the surface and they should germinate in around 5-7 days. Keep moist until they germinate. You will need to give them a helping hand until they find the climbing wire or frame. We like to plant in the afternoon as this gives them a cool start. A sunny position is essential.
- Dig the soil over well and add some well rotted compost.
- Make sure the soil is not to wet as this can lead to poor germination.
- The seeds should be planted at around 3 cm deep and around 10 cm apart. We like to plant a little closer and thin out the weaker plants once they germinate.
- Seeds will germinate in around 14 days, keep the soil moist, but not wet during this period.
Pick the peas before they swell to much, they are at their sweetest and crunchiest when young.