Sugar Ann Snap Peas are one of the first veggies out of the garden! This beloved variety prefers cooler weather, so enjoy their sweet, crisp flavor in both spring and fall.
Snap peas have a tender, edible pod and taste delicious raw, sautéed, steamed, or roasted. You can even pickle them for an interesting flavor!
Prior to sowing, add wood ashes to the area for fertilization. Soak seeds overnight before planting.
Plant the first sowing in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. It is best to have a support or trellis system to help with diseases and yield. For fall crops, sow six to eight weeks before first frost date.
Pick when pods are at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, first as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking (for Sugar Ann Snap Peas, that’s 50 days). Make multiple sowings to extend the harvest season.
Harvest frequently to ensure continued yields.
Saving pea seed is easy! Leave pods of spring-planted peas on the vine to dry. Harvest dried pods and hand shell the seeds over a cloth or container. To ensure true-to-type seed, separate pea varieties by 30 feet. Store seeds in a cool, dry area for up to three years.