How to grow snow peas in a raised bed

Snow peas give you the whole flat pod, sweet and crunchy, with none of the shelling — a fast, generous cool-season crop that kids happily eat straight off the vine.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 5–8 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm or 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 9–11 weeks
• Support: a trellis for climbing types

When should I plant snow peas?

Snow peas like it cool — sow from autumn through late winter in most areas, early spring in cold zones. Sow directly where they're to grow. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): March to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): March to September
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): March and August to November
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): May to July
• Arid inland: March to August

How do I grow snow peas in a raised bed?

Sow seed into the mix and give climbing types a trellis to scramble up. They're legumes, so they don't need much feeding.

How often should I water and feed snow peas?

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially at flowering and podding. Water the soil in the morning to keep mildew at bay.

What pests attack snow peas?

Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars and thrips. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect snow peas?

The main ones are powdery mildew and downy mildew. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with snow peas?

Carrots and beans are good companions; keep peas away from onions and garlic. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest snow peas?

Pick the flat pods young, while the peas inside are just forming — that's when they're sweetest. The more you pick, the more they produce.

More growing guides: peas, sugar snap peas and broad beans.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.