How to Grow Snow Peas: Best Step-by-Step Guide

Snow peas are delicious in stir-fry recipes and soup. Snow pea pods are typically harvested before the peas in the pods are allowed to develop. However, you can still harvest and shell snow peas if the pea has developed. Fully developed peas can be dried and used in soups. Peas are best grown during cooler temperatures, and can withstand frost. They are a good addition to your garden if you want to get more iron, protein, fiber and vitamin C in your diet.

How to Grow Snow Peas

What You Need

Shovel

Compost

16–16‑8 fertilizer

Paper towels

Trellis or fence

Step 1

Prepare your garden soil for your snow peas in an area that gets full sun and has good soil drainage. Prepare the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a shovel.

Step 2

Add 3 inches of compost to your garden area. Mix the compost into the soil. Add 16–16‑8 fertilizer at a rate of 1 lb per 100 square feet. Work the fertilizer into the soil. Place fencing or a trellis in your garden. Space each support about 2 feet apart in rows.

Step 3

Moisten two pieces of paper towel with water. Place the pea seeds on one sheet and cover it with the other. Place the seeds in a warm area. Make sure the seeds stay moist until they sprout. Begin to plant the seeds after they sprout.

Step 4

Plant your seeds about 6 inches from each side of the trellis or fence. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and space each plant an inch apart in rows along the trellis.

Step 5

Water your peas each morning so that the soil is allowed to dry in the evening. Increase watering when your peas begin to flower. Add straw mulch around your plants to help conserve water.

Step 6

Harvest pea pods about 7 days after they flower, while the pods are still flat and sweet-tasting. Pick larger peas as they are discovered. Shell the larger plump pods and use the peas inside for soup recipes.