How to Grow Peas in Australia
Shelling peas, snow peas, and sugar snaps with planting calendars for every region
Peas are the best winter crop for beginners. They're quick, productive, and almost impossible to mess up. Every pea plant also fixes nitrogen in the soil, leaving it in better shape for whatever you grow next.
Kids love picking and eating peas straight off the vine. There's no better way to get them interested in the garden. This guide covers the best varieties, planting times for your region, trellising, and how to keep the harvest going.
When to Plant in Your Region
Varieties
Greenfeast
Australia's most popular shelling pea. Dwarf bush habit (60 cm), heavy cropper, sweet flavour. No trellis needed. Available everywhere.
Telephone (Alderman)
Tall climbing pea reaching 1.5 to 2 metres. Large sweet pods. Needs strong trellis support. One of the best-flavoured shelling peas.
Snow Pea (Oregon Giant)
Flat edible pods picked before peas fill out. Climbing habit, needs trellis. Popular in stir-fries. Very productive.
Sugar Snap
Thick-walled edible pods with full-sized sweet peas inside. Eat whole, pod and all. Climbing habit, 1.5 metres. Best picked young.
Planting
Peas are always direct sown. They hate being transplanted and rarely recover from root disturbance. Sow seeds 3 to 5 cm deep and about 5 cm apart in rows or blocks.
You can soak seeds overnight in water to speed up germination, but it's not essential. Unsoaked seeds will sprout a day or two later.
Peas prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil. They don't need rich soil because they make their own nitrogen. A light dusting of lime before planting helps if your soil is acidic.
Trellising
Bush varieties like Greenfeast are self-supporting and don't need any trellis. They grow to about 60 cm and hold themselves up.
Climbing varieties need a trellis 1.5 to 2 metres tall. Any of these options work well:
- Chicken wire: Stretch between two posts. Peas grab on with tendrils and climb easily.
- String trellis: Run vertical strings from a top rail. Cheap and effective.
- Sticks and branches: Push twiggy branches into the soil along the row. A free and natural option.
Growing Tips
Peas are a cool weather crop. They grow best between 10 and 20 degrees and stop producing once temperatures regularly exceed 25 degrees.
Don't fertilise peas with nitrogen. They form a partnership with soil bacteria that captures nitrogen from the air. Adding nitrogen fertiliser actually reduces this natural process and can result in lots of leaf growth but fewer pods.
Water regularly, especially once plants start flowering. Consistent moisture at flowering time is the key to a good pod set.
Mulch around the base of plants to keep roots cool and retain soil moisture. Pea straw is a good choice (and yes, it really is made from pea plants).
Harvesting
Pick peas regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing. Left too long, old pods signal the plant to stop flowering.
- Shelling peas: Pick when pods are plump and you can feel the round peas inside. The pods should be bright green and firm.
- Snow peas: Pick when the pods are flat and young, before the peas start to fill out. Overgrown snow peas become tough and stringy.
- Sugar snap peas: Pick when the pods are full and rounded but still crisp and bright green. They should snap cleanly when bent.
Common Problems
Powdery mildew
A white powdery coating appears on leaves, usually late in the season as temperatures warm up. Improve airflow by spacing plants well and avoiding overcrowding. Plant early so you can harvest before warm weather sets in.
Aphids
Check the growing tips of your pea plants for clusters of small green or black aphids. A strong blast of water from the hose knocks them off. Repeat every few days if they return. Ladybugs are excellent natural predators.
Poor germination
Pea seeds rot in soil that is too wet and cold. Wait for soil to dry out slightly before sowing. Avoid heavy watering immediately after planting. If seeds fail to emerge after two weeks, resow.
Track Your Pea Growing
Add peas to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for sowing and harvest time.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When to plant peas in Australia?
Peas are a cool-season crop. In most regions, plant from March to August. Tropical and subtropical areas should plant in the cooler dry season (April to July). Check the calendar above for your specific region.
Do peas need a trellis?
Bush varieties like Greenfeast are self-supporting and need no trellis. Climbing varieties like Telephone, Snow Pea, and Sugar Snap need a trellis 1.5 to 2 metres tall. Chicken wire, string, or sticks all work well.
How long do peas take to grow?
Most pea varieties are ready to harvest 10 to 14 weeks after sowing. Bush types like Greenfeast tend to be slightly faster. Regular picking encourages the plant to keep producing.
Can I grow peas in summer?
Peas struggle in hot weather. Temperatures above 25 to 30 degrees cause flowers to drop and plants to stop producing. Stick to autumn, winter, and early spring plantings for the best results.
See also: Peas in the Plant Library
