Snow Pea
Photo: "Snow Pea" by Jay & Melissa Malouin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Vegetable · Pea

Snow Pea

Fabaceae

Harvest FLAT before peas develop (5-7 days after flowering). Pod is the primary edible part. Some varieties have strings to remove. Pick every other day minimum. Quick-maturing. Good for stir-fry. Bush (2-3 ft) or pole (6+ ft) types.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
52–70 days
Sun
6+ hours
Container
Yes
2+ gallon pot

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–14 days
Optimal Temp 55°F
Seed Depth 1"

Watering

Weekly Water 1 "
Needs Moderate

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Resilience

Heat: Low Cold: Medium Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Full pod length, still FLAT — before peas develop inside. 5-7 days after flowering.

Storage Harvest pods when flat and before peas enlarge; pick every couple days.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Nantes carrot Common companion pairing in charts; efficient use of space with different root zones.
Cherry belle radish Often paired as a short-season intercrop; can help with spacing/bed use.
Spinach Cool-season crop that can share bed/season timing with peas.
Nasturtium Often listed as a pea companion in extension/UC Master Gardener charts.
Marketmore 76 cucumber Often listed as a compatible companion in charts; similar season timing in many regions.

Avoid Planting Near

Green onion scallion Allium family is commonly listed as a poor companion for peas/beans.
Softneck garlic Allium family is commonly listed as a poor companion for peas/beans.

Sources

university Wisconsin Horticulture Extension university University of Arkansas Extension — Snow Pea (Plant of the Week) university UC Master Gardener Program (UC Davis) — Companion Planting Chart

More Vegetables

Snow Pea Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Snow Pea vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

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