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Holly's Homestead — Legume

Snow Peas

Pisum sativum var. saccharatum · Legume family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown, cool season
MATURITY 60–70 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Spacing
5–8cm × 45cm
Depth
2–3cm

01Nitrogen fixers

Grown and cared for just like shelling peas, but picked earlier — while the pod is still flat, before the peas inside swell.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow along a trellis or netting.
Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile.
Timing
Sow in the cooler months.

03Growing care

  • Provide support at planting.
  • Water regularly, especially through flowering.
  • Pick often and early — flat pods, before peas swell inside.
  • Leave roots in place after harvest for the nitrogen benefit.

04Problems

  • Powdery mildew — humid weather; improve airflow.
  • Pea weevil — mostly cosmetic leaf notching.
  • Poor pod set — heat stress; grow in the cooler part of the year.
  • Birds — net young seedlings.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Pods are flat, before peas inside swell noticeably.
Method
Pick with two hands to avoid tearing the vine.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge a few days; best used promptly.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
CarrotCucumberCorn
Avoid nearby
OnionGarlic
Rotation note
Follow with heavy feeders to use the fixed nitrogen.