A strong metal trellis that is accessible from both sides is ideal for growing snow peas. They will do equally well in containers, in raised beds or in the ground, as long as the soil is good. You can grow peas in any type of garden bed. We sow from mid-late autumn after the humidity and summer rain has passed, until about July, so that the last crop matures in late spring, by which time it becomes too hot for them. In the humid subtropics where I live, winter is just barely cool enough for snow peas. Some people say the name ‘snow pea’ derives from the fact that they can withstand some light snow and frost this is pretty much true because snow peas will be just fine down to about -2C (28F). Peas are a cool season crop and prefer a temperature range of 12-20C (55-70F) during the growing season. This will limit the spread of fungal diseases, which like a moist environment and whose spores spread via water droplets. When watering peas, try to avoid wetting the foliage.
If it comes up totally dry then you need to water. Stick a finger into the soil down to the second knuckle. If you’re not sure whether your peas need water, you can do the traditional ‘finger test’ at any time. Snow peas will let you know if they need water, as the foliage will start to wilt. Fruit that grows on plants that have been stressed won’t be as crunchy or tasty as it could be. Peas are generally a lush crop that will get stressed from lack of water. Once they pop up out of the soil you should water them regularly. Once you’ve sown your pea seeds, don’t water them much until they germinate. Peas happily grow close together, so it won’t be a problem if they all germinate. This allows for some loss from insects, rodents and failure to germinate. Sow pea seeds close together- about 1-2″ apart.
If their root system can remain undisturbed right from the beginning, it will result in a stronger plant with good fruit production. Root disturbance often impedes the growth of vegetables, and this is certainly true when it comes to peas. Peas will grow better if you can sow them direct. Peas need what I call ‘goldilocks soil’- not too heavy, not too light but ‘just right’. You need the soil to be rich yet have a free-draining structure & the ability to hold moisture. Prepare your garden beds well, with a top-up of soil, compost and animal manures. Soil preparation is one of the big keys to growing a good crop of snow peas. Peas are fairly resistant to poor growing conditions like poor soil and irregular watering, but if you want a good crop then you need to give peas optimum conditions. In fact, sugar snap peas are a cross between snow peas and ordinary shelling peas. Snow peas are usually grown to eat whole, and they’re remarkably similar to sugar snap peas.
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