Snow peas come from the pea, which has the scientific name Pisum sativum. In this variety, the fruit peel is edible due to its crisp and soft consistency and fresh aroma. Successful cultivation requires knowledge of growth.
When is sugar snap pea season?
The sugar pea season lasts two to three months, with the harvest in the garden usually starting in June. In winter, the sugar snap peas come from African or American growing regions, while in late spring and summer months imports from Europe are available.
Vegetable season
Snow peas are available in supermarkets all year round, with their season extending over two to three months. In winter, the vegetables come from African or American growing regions. During the late spring and summer months you will receive imported goods from Europe, which will be offered at the same time as strawberries and asparagus.
In the garden
Depending on the variety, you can harvest sugar peas 75 to 95 days after sowing. The harvest season in the garden usually starts in June and depends on the choice of variety and the weather conditions. A pea plant produces yields for two to three weeks.
Growing snow peas
Sugar peas are low-eaters and therefore well suited as a pre-crop. They are considered undemanding and easy to care for. Water the plants carefully during the growth phase, as excessive watering will cause excessive leaves to form. During long dry periods, watering makes sense to prevent the pods from hardening prematurely. Fertilization is not necessary.
Early sowing increases fruit production
Sugar peas are suitable for direct sowing outdoors from April. The long day plants use the spring with cool conditions to develop leaf mass. As soon as the day length has exceeded a certain number of hours, flowers develop. High yields require long periods of light and short periods of darkness, so cultivation during the summer is not recommended.
Sowing in the bed
The seeds germinate after about ten days if the soil temperatures are between five and eight degrees. Lower temperatures quickly lead to rot. Thorough loosening of the soil creates optimal growth conditions. Improve the substrate with compost. A trellis (€279.00 at Amazon) is necessary so that the climbing plants find stability.
Instructions for cultivation:
- Sowing is done in rows
- Place seeds in grooves two to three centimeters deep
- pay attention to a distance of five centimeters
How to harvest
The more often you harvest a plant, the more pods it will develop. If you allow the legumes to fully ripen, the crop will stop producing. After harvesting, cut off the plant parts close to the ground and leave the roots in the soil. They supply the soil with nitrogen.
Get the right harvest time
When the fruit pods have a fresh green color and are still tender, the harvest takes place. They have reached their optimal level of ripeness when the still white and soft seeds shine through under the shell. The earlier you start harvesting, the more aromatic and sweet the pods taste.
Tip
You should eat the harvest directly fresh, because the sugar converts into starch during storage. This causes the sugar snap peas to become increasingly bitter.
