Lowest Price Policy^
Free delivery* with
4 hour Click & Collect
Easy in-store ReturnsHow to grow, care for and harvest snow peas
What you need to know about snow peas
Name: snow pea, Chinese pea, Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon.
Height: 1.8-2m, dwarf forms about 0.6m.
Plant type: annual.
Climate: warm and cool temperate, arid/semi-arid, subtropical, and tropical.
Soil: well-drained, enriched with organic material. A slightly acidic to alkaline pH is preferable to highly acidic soils.
Position: full sun.
Flowers and fruit: white flowers followed by flat green pods.
Foliage: smooth, waxy and ovate (egg-shaped) with strong venations. Arranged in pairs along the vine.
Feeding: well-rotted organic matter at planting time.
Watering: water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Appearance and characteristics of snow peas
Snow peas are annual cool-season vegies. They’re fast-growing and available in two forms: tall (indeterminate) and dwarf (determinate). Tall forms are vines that grow up to 2m and need to be staked for support, whereas dwarf forms generally don’t require a trellis. The flattened pods are picked when young and tender before the peas (seeds within the pod) start to swell. They can be eaten raw – pod and all – straight off the vine and are deliciously sweet.
Snow peas versus sugar snap peas
Sugar snap peas and snow peas are both varieties of pea that are eaten pod and all, unlike common garden peas, which are shelled and only the peas are consumed. Sugar snap peas are a cross between snow peas and common garden peas. Sugar snap peas snap like green beans, have a sweet taste and are usually picked when the pods are fully mature and rounded.
Uses for snow peas
Snow peas are delicious raw, blanched or cooked in stir-fries. The young shoots and curly, thread-like tendrils (used for climbing) are also edible and have a fresh pea-like flavour. Use snow pea shoots as a leafy green substitute in salads and stir-fries or sautéed like spinach.
How to grow snow peas
In most climates, snow peas grow best in the cooler months. In cold areas, wait until early spring when the chance of frost has passed before you sow peas or plant pea seedlings, as frost can damage pea seedlings and impact developing pods. Avoid growing them in the warmer months as they are not heat tolerant and will stop producing.
Choose a sunny position in the garden with well-drained soil, adding compost as a natural soil improver. To improve germination, soak snow pea seeds in warm water for a few hours before sowing. Sow the seeds directly where they are to grow, lightly cover with soil and water well. Do not water again until seeds germinate, otherwise they may rot. If planting seedlings, try not to disturb the root ball and water in with a diluted seaweed solution to help reduce transplant shock.
Tip: Grow peas in Jiffy pots and plant out the seedling complete with the pot - this a good way to ensure the roots aren’t disturbed.
Caring for snow peas
Indeterminate snow pea varieties can grow up to 2m tall, so need some kind or support structure, such as a wire trellis. When plants are young, hammer in stakes at both ends of the rows and run two wires or string between them 200mm and 400mm above ground level. Avoid using a timber trellis as the plant’s fine tendrils may have difficulty grasping onto the thick frame. Support is not usually needed for dwarf snow pea plants.
How often should you water and feed snow peas?
Snow peas are legumes and fix their own nitrogen, so don’t need a lot of fertilisers. Well-composted organic matter (such as aged manure) at planting time is usually sufficient to feed pea plants. If desired, handfuls of an organic fertiliser can be added as pods are forming to help boost production.
Water plants regularly throughout the growing season and add mulch to help conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
How and when to harvest snow peas
Knowing the right time to harvest peas is important to make sure you’re getting the most flavour out of them. Snow peas can usually be harvested from about 10 weeks after sowing seed, or approximately 10 days after flowering and pod development begins. It’s best to harvest pods when they’re young, tender and flat. As the pod development progresses and the peas inside the pods begin to swell, they can become a bit tough and bitter. With regular harvesting, you’ll encourage new growth so the plants can keep producing more delicious pods throughout the season.
Diseases and pests that affect snow peas
Snow peas can be affected by powdery mildew, a fungal disease that’s prevalent during wet or humid conditions, or if air circulation is poor. To reduce the risk, don’t crowd seeds or seedlings at planting time and, if possible, avoid overhead watering.
How to propagate snow peas
Grow snow peas each year from seed or seedlings. You can grow and save your own seed to use in subsequent years. To do this, leave some seed pods to fully mature, dry and turn brown on the vine before picking them, removing the peas and storing them in a cool, dark, dry place until the next growing season.
If you like this, then try
Beans: warm-season favourites that are available in climbing and more compact bush varieties.
Zucchini: this fast-growing vine will reward you with fruitful harvests over summer.
Tomato: the quintessential summer ‘vegie’ with forms to suit all garden sizes.
Start planting today
Check out our wide range of plants now and get your garden growing!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
More D.I.Y. Advice
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.