![]() ![]() Some types may be ready for harvesting about a week after flowers appear while others can take closer to two. ![]() Once your peas start to flower, it won’t be long until you can start picking fresh sugar snaps off the vine for some late spring or late fall snacking. When and How to Harvest Your Sugar Snap Peas Once your peas are growing well, you can switch to low-nitrogen fertilizer and apply monthly until harvest time. You can also add powder inoculant to your seeds right after they have finished soaking to help establish the strong colony of the bacteria the plant needs to fix nitrogen. To help give them a boost and reduce growing time, use a little nitrogen fertilizer at planting time. While peas may be able to fix nitrogen from the air, it will take your little seedlings some time to master this feat. Working the ground thoroughly can also help reduce the risk of root rot and other issues associated with boggy garden conditions.Īs the weather begins to warm and your plants start to grow expect to have to water more frequently. Planting your peas on raised mounds can help with poor draining associated with compact or clay soil. ![]() In general, peas like consistently moist soil but do not do well with standing water. When it comes to how much water sugar snap peas need, it will depend largely on the condition of your soil, outside temperatures, and your overall set up. Provide the Right Amount of Water and Food Chicken wire, strings run horizontally, and trellis netting all work well for this purpose. Keep the spacing between the material under an inch to give your peas the best grip on the fence. Whichever variety and height you choose, you’ll need to construct the lattice with thin fencing or wire, no larger than ¼ inch in diameter. If you do end up planting the taller varieties, it is best to situate them on the north end of your garden to avoid shading the plants behind the lattice. For more traditional vine-like sugar snap peas, you’ll need to construct a fence that is about six feet tall to maximize growth. For these types, choose a lattice that is at least two feet tall. Bush peas are shorter and bushier than your typical legume but they still require something to climb up for best growth. Sugar snap peas need to climb, which means you will have to do a little planning before you put your seeds or seedlings in the ground.įirst, decide which variety you want to work with. Just make sure you get your second round of seeds in the ground after summer temps start to drop and about ten weeks before the first expected frost of winter. While sugar snap peas are the quintessential early-season plant, don’t forget that these little sweeties are also great options for fall planting. In either case, soaking your seeds in water for about 24 hours before planting will also help speed germination and shorten your growing time. ![]() You can also clear plastic to help warm the soil before sowing seeds directly into your garden. Germination can be delayed if the soil is too cool, so you might consider sprouting the seeds in a window and transplanting them before they reach four inches tall. If you are in a more southern latitude, plant as early as you can and avoid areas of the garden that heat up too quickly in the afternoon sun. The trick is to get your peas in the ground a little more than two months before the weather is expected to get hot. Once your seedlings appear, use a light sheet or garden fabric to protect your new plants if a frost is predicted. Once you can easily work the soil in your garden, you are likely good to go. But when to put your seeds in the ground will depend on your region.įor higher elevations and more northern latitudes, you’ll want to wait until after the last hard frost. Most sugar snap pea varieties take about two months from germination to begin fruiting. How Long Does It Take to Grow Sugar Snap Peas? And, because these plants grow fast and produce early, it won’t take much time to see the fruits of your labor. While the idea of growing these little climbers might seem daunting, the truth is, with the right prep, you can grow sugar snap peas in a variety of different settings from pots to rows. Plus, they come with the added benefit of injecting your garden soil with a natural dose of nitrogen to help your other veggies grow bigger and stronger. Not only are these crunchy little legumes a treat to eat when they are grown fresh, but their love of cooler weather and ability to survive the occasional morning frost make them a perfect choice for early spring and late fall planting. And it’s just one reason why growing your own sugar snap peas at home is always a great idea. It’s a taste sensation that’s hard to match if you’re shopping for peas at the grocery store. There is nothing quite like the crisp sweetness of a sugar snap pea fresh off the vine. ![]()
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