Planting and care
How to grow peas
When to grow
Cool season · Annual
How to start
Direct seed
Mature size
2–6 ft
Time to harvest
About 55–75 days from seed.
Feeding needs
Light feeder
Growth habit
Climber
How to prune
Provide support at sowing for climbing varieties. No routine pruning; remove badly diseased growth and spent vines after production stops.
How to harvest
Pick snap peas when pods are plump but still tender, snow peas while flat, and shell peas when seeds fill pods. Hold vines while clipping or pinching stems; pick every 1–2 days.
Harvest and kitchen use
Fresh, steamed or shelled
Nutrition and garden value
Fiber, vitamin C and plant protein
Early cool-season trellis crop and legume
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Heat shortens season; mildew can occur