How to grow sugar snap peas

You Will Need

• Sugar snap pea seeds
• Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
• Small pots
• Canes
• Chicken wire

Step 1

For early crops, sow sugar snap pea seeds indoors in March in pots or cells. Transplant into the garden when the seedlings are about 12-15cm high. This helps reduce damage from slugs, snails and pigeons.

Step 2

When weather is warmer, sow every two to three weeks directly into well-prepared soil, 5cm deep. A flat trench, dug in a line or a circle, works well.

Step 3

Where space is at a premium, growing sugar snap pea plants in a circle allows them to be trained up a tepee of cane and chicken wire mesh. The mesh keeps young plants close to the supports, making it easier for them to climb, and keeps the pigeons away.

Step 4

Sugar snap peas become stringy and tough if left too long, so pick as soon as they start to plump up and make a satisfying snap when bent. Hold the stem as you remove each pod to reduce the risk of damage to the plant.

Water regularly as peas need a moist soil if they are to produce a heavy crop. In a drier garden, you should consider mulching the soil to conserve moisture.