How to Grow Snow Peas in Australia
A cool-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing your own Snow Peas is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. They are rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$4-8/week, snow peas are $8-12/kg in supermarkets; one plant produces handfuls.
This guide covers when to plant Snow Peas in your region, the position and soil they like, how to sow and space them, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Snow Peas are a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland they are sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Oregon Sugar Pod
The standard snow pea. Flat, sweet, crisp 10cm pods on 1.5m vines. Heavy cropper and disease resistant. The one you see in supermarkets.
Try: Yates, Mr Fothergill's, Bunnings
Mammoth Melting Sugar
Large flat pods up to 12cm. Sweet and tender. Vigorous climber to 1.8m, needs a solid trellis.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest, Diggers
Snow Wind (Dwarf)
Compact 60cm bush variety, no trellis needed. Slightly smaller pods but prolific and perfect for pots and small beds.
Try: Mr Fothergill's, Yates
Yakumo (Japanese)
Tender, dark-green flat pods with excellent flavour. Popular in Asian markets. Climbs to 1.5m.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds
Golden Sweet
Stunning yellow-podded heirloom with purple flowers. Same flat snow pea shape, slightly sweeter. Beautiful and productive.
Try: Eden Seeds, Diggers
Position and Soil
Give Snow Peas full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They do best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. They grow happily in a pot of 25cm+ with trellis or dwarf variety, which makes them a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 3 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 10 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 8 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 22 degrees.
Flat edible pods harvested before the peas swell. A stir-fry essential and one of the easiest cool-season crops. Pick every 2-3 days to keep plants producing. Trellis climbing types to 1.5m+. Fixes nitrogen in the soil for the next crop.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids, Pea weevil and Snails. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew, Downy mildew and Pea rust. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Snow Peas are typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Fridge in a bag, eat within 3 days for best crunch. Blanch and freeze for stir-fries.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, snow peas are good stir-fried with garlic and ginger, eaten raw in salads for crunch, blanched and tossed through noodle dishes and added to Thai curries in the last minute. Nutritionally: excellent source of vitamin C and K and high in dietary fibre for gut health.
Companion Planting
Snow Peas grow well alongside Carrot, Radish, Corn, Cucumber, Beans and Lettuce. Keep them away from Onion, Garlic and Leek. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Snow Peas Growing
Add snow peas to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snow Peas in Australia?
Snow Peas are a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland they are sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Snow Peas take to grow?
Snow Peas are generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Snow Peas in a pot?
Yes. Snow Peas grow well in a container of 25cm+ with trellis or dwarf variety with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Snow Peas need?
Give they full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Snow Peas in the Plant Library
