When to Plant Snow Peas in Melbourne — Cool Temperate Guide
Snow peas (mangetout, sugar peas, Chinese peas) are a cool-season legume grown for flat, edible pods eaten before peas develop. Like garden peas, fundamentally cool-season crops that fail in heat. Higher edible yield per plant than shelling peas since the entire pod is eaten.
Planting Calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | T/D | — | — | — |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 10.8°C (optimal range: 8–24°C) ✓ Ready to plant
How to Grow Snow Peas in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
March to September. Ideal territory.
- Soil
- Well-drained, moderately fertile. Do not over-enrich with nitrogen.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun to light shade.
- Spacing
- 8cm apart, 60cm between rows
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist especially during flowering and pod production. Water at base.
Companion plants: Carrot, Turnip, Radish, Lettuce
Avoid planting near: Onion, Garlic, Shallot
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Snow Peas
Recommended Varieties
- Oregon Giant
- Yakumo Giant
- Mammoth Melting
- Yellow Podded
- Purple Podded
Key Challenges
- Winter waterlogging
- Downy mildew
Pro Tips
- Ideal zone - snow peas perform superbly
- Succession sow for months of harvest
- Raised beds for winter drainage
Harvesting Snow Peas
When ready: Pods flat, translucent green, peas inside barely visible. Snap crisply.
How to harvest: Pick with two hands - hold stem, snap pod. Pick every 2 days minimum.
Common Snow Peas Pests in Cool Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Avoid excess nitrogen.
Supermarket Price
Current average retail: $20.62/kg (12-month range: $1.55–$32.90)
Grow your own and save on grocery bills.
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