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Growing Sugar Snap Peas – The Perfect Crop To Plant In Early Spring!
As previously mentioned, sugar snap peas are capable of growing and producing without the need for support or a trellis. However, allowing them to climb will greatly enhance their manageability and yield. On the other hand, if they are left to sprawl on the ground, it can stunt their growth and inhibit flower production.
If you’re growing sugar snap peas in a garden or raised bed, a simple fence piece propped up by a couple of stakes in the middle of each row can provide ample support. Alternatively, you can grow them along fence lines to create a natural trellis.
For container gardening, a wooden or metal trellis positioned behind the peas will suffice. You can also plant them in a container next to an arbor, trellis, or fence, and they will instinctively climb and twine around any nearby structure.
Supporting your sugar snap peas not only leads to a bigger harvest but also simplifies the harvesting process.
Maintaining Your Crop
To ensure a successful crop of sugar snap peas, there are a few essential gardening tasks that need to be taken care of. First and foremost, it’s important to water the seeds immediately after planting. While peas don’t require excessive watering, if the soil is dry at planting time, watering will expedite the germination process.
Afterward, only water your crop if the soil becomes overly dry. When watering, aim for the ground level to avoid the development of mildew or mold. Typically, once pea crops have sprouted, they don’t require frequent watering, except in extremely dry conditions.
Mulching is another important chore for the growth of sugar snap peas. Mulch helps to prevent weed growth, conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. In particular, it helps to keep the soil cooler if there’s an unexpected heatwave.
After planting, cover the soil with a light layer of straw or shredded leaves. Once the peas have begun to sprout, add a few more inches of mulch for a total of three to four inches. This will make it easier for the seeds to germinate and will help ensure a healthy crop of sugar snap peas.
Harvesting
To ensure maximum freshness, it’s important to harvest your sugar snap peas as frequently as possible. Wait until the pods are plump and full before plucking them from the vines. Picking them too early will result in flat and tasteless peas while leaving them on for too long will cause them to become woody and tough.
Pea plants will continue to produce blooms as long as they are not overloaded with peas. Regular picking not only ensures freshness but also improves your yields. Once warm weather ends new blooms, you can simply pull up the plants and add them to your compost pile. Pea plants are excellent for composting and giving back to the soil in this way.
If you want to save seeds from your pea plants, leave a few of the plants to dry out. Once the plants and remaining seed pods turn brown, pluck the pods and remove the peas. Store them in a cool, dry place, and you will have seeds for your next crop at no cost.
Fall Peas
To ensure a successful second crop in late summer or early fall, make sure you plant at least 8 to 10 weeks before the average first frost in your area. Keep in mind that fall pea harvests may not be as abundant as spring harvests due to the warmer late-season weather and approaching cold temperatures, but they are still worth the effort of planting. May your garden yield a bountiful crop of sugar snap peas this year!
