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The Snow Pea Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
Winter may be in full swing, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your green thumb away.
In fact, it’s the perfect time to start planting snow peas! Snow peas are a popular and nutritious vegetable that can thrive in colder temperatures.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing and caring for snow pea plants.
What Are Snow Peas?
Snow peas (Pisum sativum var.
saccharatum) are a type of pea that is harvested while the pods are still flat and the peas inside have not yet fully developed.
They get their name from their white flowers that bloom during the winter months.
- Snow peas are low in calories but high in fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and minerals such as iron and manganese.
- They’re also easy to grow since they don’t require a lot of space or special equipment.
Planting Snow Peas
The best time to plant snow peas depends on your climate zone.
Generally speaking though, they do well when planted around late winter or early spring when soil temperature has warmed up enough for germination (around 50-60°F).
Here’s what you need:
- A sunny spot with good drainage
- A trellis or support system like stakes or poles for the vines t0 grow upon as it is a vine plant needing support,
- Garden gloves ,
- Garden hoe,,
Garden rake,,
Bone meal fertilizer / Compost manure .
Once you have everything, follow these simple steps to plant your snow peas:
- Prepare the soil.
Add compost manure and mulch the bed with a layer of organic matter like leaves or straw to retain moisture.
- Sow the seeds.
Plant the seeds about an inch deep and two inches apart in rows that are around three feet apart.
- Water gently but deeply after planting.
Fertilize with bonemeal fertilizer when plants are about two weeks old .
Caring for Snow Peas
Snow peas are generally low maintenance as compared to other vine plants such as tomatoes or cucumbers, but here are some tips on how to care for them:
- Water regularly: Snow pea plants need at least an inch of water each week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
The soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged.
, - Weed regularly: Keep your snow pea beds free from weed that can compete with them for nutrients and sunlight, ,
- Maintain support system : Check regularly if your support structure is strong enough as snow pea vines tend to grow fast and heavy. ,
- Hoeing: Hoe shallowly around plants every few weeks so you don’t disturb their roots too much, just loose enough so they don’t compete for nutrients, ,
- Pest control : Watch out for common pests like aphids which suck sap from leaves causing stunted growth , mites which create webs on leaves or slugs that feed on young seedlings .
Treat accordingly by using chemical insecticides non-chemicals methods like neem oil spray works well also .
.
Harvesting Snow Peas
Snow peas plants will begin to produce pods within 60 days of planting and will continue to produce for several weeks if you harvest them regularly.
Harvesting is simple:
- Harvest the pods when they are flat and tender before the seeds inside have started to grow.
- Use scissors or sharp knife to cut them from the plant, be careful not to damage other parts of your plant while doing so. ,
- Store freshly harvested snow peas in a cool place like your fridge crisper drawer where temperature is at around 32°F-40°F for freshness ,but can also last upto five days without refrigeration. .
The Bottom Line
Growing snow peas may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy! By following these tips on planting, caring for, and harvesting snow pea plants, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh and nutritious vegetables all winter long.
Just remember that it takes patience and consistency with watering that eventually pays off in bountiful harvests.
