This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.
Peas: Snap
A more recently developed edible-podded pea, this one originated in America. The pod is thicker and more succulent than that of the Snow Pea, and less fibrous than standard Shelling Peas. These are now one of the most popular types of pea, because there is no work in shelling and very little waste.
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Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Easy
- Grown as
- Annual
- Days to Maturity
- 70 (Spring/Summer), 70 (Fall/Winter)
- Growing Habit
- Pole
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Peas are very frost tolerant.
- Crops
- Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer, Fall Transplant, Fall
- Growing Season
- Short, Long
- Cultivar Type
- Early
- Growing Conditions
- Cool
Peas are cool weather plants, hardy down to 20 degrees (28 degrees F when flowering). They prefer mild temperatures (55 to 75 degrees F) and don't usually set pods above 80 degrees F. In areas with hot summers they are grown as a spring or fall crop (fall planting presents its own problems however).
See AlsoSugar Snap PeasIt is important to plant your peas early, so that they have enough time to mature before the hot weather sets in. Normally the first peas are planted 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 45°F - 75°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 45°F
Pea seeds will germinate over a wide temperature range, but do so much faster in warm soil. At 40˚F they may take over a month to germinate (if they don’t rot or get eaten in the meantime). At 70˚F they may take only a week.
These large nutritious seeds are vulnerable once planted, so you don't want them sitting in the soil for too long. For this reason it's best to wait until the soil is at least 45 degrees and preferably 60 degrees.
- Start Indoors
- Yes
- Start Outdoors
- Yes
- Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool)
Full sun.
- Water
- Moderate
Peas should get about one inch of water per week. In cool spring weather peas will usually get enough water from rainfall so you don't have to irrigate. Watering at this time may encourage mildew and can actually reduce yields. If the soil starts to get dry at any time you must start watering. This is particularly important from the time the flowers appear, as water is needed for pod formation and maturation.
- Feeder
- Light
Low nitrogen. Low potassium. Low phosphorous.
Peas aren't very hungry plants.
- Suitability
- Tolerates light frost
- Small Gardens?
- Yes
- Containers?
- Yes
It is possible to grow peas in fairly deep containers (at least 8"), but they won't be very productive. To increase productivity, increase the amount of compost tea you give your plant, especially during flowering and fruiting.
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- Green
- Fruit Size
- 3.0 - 3.0"
- Plant Height
- 72.0 - 96.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 6.0 - 12.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 2-11
- Disease Resistance
- Tolerance to pea wilt
- Taste Profile
Delicious, thick-walled, plump pods, excellent flavor. The best flavor of all the snap peas.
- Rotation Group
- Soil Builders and Cleaners: Legumes + Corn + Potatoes
Learn how to grow peas! This is an easy, rewarding crop for spring or fall.
Tricia shows you how to build a variety of quick and easy vegetable trellises. Garden vertically this year, trellis tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, beans, and peas.
