Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon
Snow peas make the perfect snack, no preparation or shelling, simply pick the pods and eat. Having completely edible pods when young means little is wasted. Old vines also make an excellent high nitrogen mulch. Most attractive when in full bloom, leaves glisten after rain and large numbers of pure white flowers announce an imminent harvest.
Snow Peas On My Hobby Farm
Tall growing snow peas do best in my garden as they are out of reach of my main pests, the ever-present snails and slugs, as well as the odd rabbit. Pods are also much easier to harvest, being at eye level, pods found within the plant’s canopy are more likely to be seen.
Getting my crop established has been a bit of a problem as seedlings are so popular with pests. Seeds had to be germinated and kept in small containers in a protected place until the young plants reached a height of about 30 cm.
Snow Peas Growing Conditions
Snow peas prefer cool moist conditions and also need protection from strong winds as brittle stems are very easily snapped. Supporting the vines as they grow is necessary and a soft twine is needed.
Their general soil and fertilizer requirements are much the same as for garden peas.
Resisting Pest Attack
These young spindly seedlings were staked and tied soon after germinating. When the stems were thick enough to resist pest attack, even though leaves were regularly attacked, plants were planted out in the garden.
Getting the seedlings to grow beyond this susceptible stage was also helped by dusting the plant leaves with hydrated or builder’s lime. Lime adds calcium to the soil, but it’s main purpose is to make leaves unpalatable to pests.
Soil Care And Planting Time
This needs to be done with care however, as the soil pH may be raised to too high a level due to the action of lime when it dissolves in the soil.
The best planting time in my area has been early autumn, resulting in pods ready for harvest during spring. Once established snow pea plants are able to resist cold weather, although flowers become sterile after frosts. Summer temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius will start to kill plants and at this point the plants quickly decline.
A Nutritious Plant
Snow pea vines are easily removed from their supporting trellis as their tendrils have a weak hold on supporting structures. Old plants make excellent compost or they can be used fresh as chopped mulch.
Being such nutritious plants they will be attacked by a wide range of pests including leaf eating caterpillars, soil cutworms, aphids, slugs and snails, and of course hares and rabbits. Fortunately the cool winter weather slows down most pests, but diseases such as downy mildew can be a problem if plants are not grown in a sunny well ventilated location.
Snow Pea Varieties On My Hobby Farm
Pods are at their best when fully formed and appear translucent, but before seeds start to swell. This tender crunchy stage is quickly established after a few trial tastings.
There are now plenty of different sugar snap as well as snow pea varieties to try in the garden. These range from early maturing dwarf plants through to medium and tall varieties.
Given time I will experiment and find the best types for flavour and ease of growing on the farm. Rest assured this tender crop will always remain on my ‘Must Grow’ list.