Growing Snap Peas

In mild climates, like Southern California, October is the month to begin planting the winter garden. All of the cool season crops can go in now, including my family’s favorite, snap peas.

About Snap Peas

Peas produce pods with enclosed seeds, which makes them part of the plant family known as legumes.

Peas have been around a long time. Archaeologist have even found them in ancient Egyptian tombs. They’re low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are protein-rich. In fact, a 100-calorie serving of peas (about 3/4 cup) contains more protein than a whole egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter. They are also a good source of riboflavin, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, dietary fiber, folate, iron, thiamin and vitamins B6, A, C, and K.

Sugar snap peas became popular in the 1970s when a Dr. Calvin Lamborn developed a sweet tasting pea with an edible pod and called them Sugar Snap Peas. Now there are many varieties, including stringless ones that can be tossed into salads or cooked with just a quick rinse. They are sweet, juicy and crisp. They are delicious raw but can also be quickly cooked.

HOW TO GROW

Sugar snap peas are easy to grow. In fact, I find that the hardest thing about having them in the garden is keeping them from being eaten before I can harvest them. The kids love them and it’s so fun to look out my window and see my kids and their friends feasting away in the garden on sugar snap peas. Unfortunately my dogs love them also!

In other climates, I’ve heard that you plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked. But here in my mild climate, I plant them October through March. Peas grow on vines, so you’ll need to prepare a trellis. I use the nets from Home Depot, but Pinterest has some really cool looking wood trellises. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

To speed up germination, soak the seeds in water for 12-24 hours. This is not required but may help you get started quicker. Be sure to label or somehow keep track of the type of seed if you are planting different types!

Now for the most important part… getting your soil ready. I use the “old” square foot gardening soil mix recipe:

• 1 part good soil or compost
• 1 part peat moss
• 1 part vermiculite

Now it’s time to plant your seeds! Most peas should be planted at a depth of 1″ and spaced 2″ apart.

Dig a trench about 6 inches deep, fill your trench 4 inches deep with your healthy soil mix. Then place your seeds 2 inches apart in a row or staggered on either side of your trellis.

Fill the trench in, over your seeds, about 1″ more with the healthy soil mix. This will still leave a trench of about 1″ deep to catch water.

Keep your row moist. If your seeds get sunshine and a nice daily (or 2x per day) mist, they should sprout in 5-10 days.

And let me tell you, seeing that first little green arm reaching out of your soil is almost as fun as eating the snap peas!

Check back for progress on the peas and recipes!