Sugar snap peas and snow peas are cool-season vegetables that are among the first you can sow outdoors in early spring. If you haven’t grown peas in your garden before, you’re in for a treat! My garden wouldn’t be complete without sugar snap peas climbing up the trellis in my raised beds each spring and again in the fall.
Planting & Care
- Timing is Key: Plant sugar snap peas as soon as the soil is workable, which is usually 4–6 weeks before your last frost. You can find your last frost date here
- Provide Support: Sugar snap peas need a structure for their tendrils to climb. You can use a metal panel, obelisk, or arch trellis, or you can make your own with sticks and twine. For those with limited space there is a variety called Sugar Ann Dwarf Snap Pea. It only grows 2-3 feet but would still benefit from growing up an obelisk . You can purchase seeds here .
- Planting Depth: Don’t bury seeds too deep. A general rule of thumb is to not bury seeds more than twice the width of the seed.
- Spacing: Space pea seeds about 2–3 inches apart.
- Soil Preparation: Peas thrive in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost before planting. Avoid adding fertilizer as peas are legumes and fix their own nitrogen.
- Seed Preparation: Soaking the seeds overnight in lukewarm water softens the hard shells and speeds up germination.
- Watering: Peas don’t require frequent watering, but water them deeply at the base of the plant. Avoid overhead watering, which can spread diseases.
- Mulching: Mulch around the plants once they gain some height to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
Harvesting & Preserving
- Harvesting: When harvesting, pinch the sugar snaps gently from the vine without tugging.
- Enjoy Fresh: You can eat the whole snap pea, pod and all, cooked or raw. You can eat them fresh by themselves or with dip, or add them to salads, stir-fries, and soups.
- Sugar Snap Peas: Harvest when both the pods and peas are plump and the pods snap easily when bent.
- Snow Peas: Harvest when the pods are flat and before the peas inside have fully filled out.
- English Peas: Harvest when the pods have reached their full length and the peas are plump.
- Storing: Freshly harvested peas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they’re best enjoyed within a day or two.
Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry
This simple stir-fry is a delicious way to enjoy fresh sugar snap peas.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic, ginger, onion, carrots, and red bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add sugar snap peas and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
- Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of honey to the stir-fry.
- You can substitute other vegetables for the carrots and bell pepper, such as broccoli, snow peas, or mushrooms.
Enjoy the sweet taste of success with your homegrown peas!
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