1.Sowing & Germination

Peas are "cool-season" champions. They can germinate in soil as cold as 40°F and are often the very first thing planted in the spring garden.When to Plant:Spring: Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked (4–6 weeks before the last frost).

• →Fall: Sow in late summer, about 8–10 weeks before the first expected frost.
• →Sowing Method: Direct Sow ONLY. Peas have fragile roots and do not transplant well.
• →Sowing Depth: 1 inch deep.
• →Spacing: Sow seeds 2 inches apart. If planting in double rows, space the rows 6 inches apart with a trellis in the middle.
• →Germination Time: 7–14 days (longer in very cold soil).

2.Growing & Care

• →Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy. Critical watering time is during flowering and pod setting. If the plant gets too dry then, the pods will be tough.
• →Temperature: Peas stop producing once temperatures consistently stay above 80°F. In hot weather, the vines will brown and die back.
• →Mulching: Use a layer of straw to keep the roots cool; this can extend your harvest by a week or two when the summer heat arrives.
• →Avoid Nitrogen: Do not use high-nitrogen fertilizers. You will get massive vines but zero pea pods.

3.Harvest

• →Days to Maturity: 60–70 Days.
• →When to Pick: Harvest when the pods are 3–4 inches long and still flat. You want to pick them before the peas inside start to swell and get bumpy.The "Two-Hand" Rule: Always use two hands to harvest—one to hold the vine and one to pull the pod. Pea vines are very brittle and easy to snap.
• →Frequency: Harvest every 2 days. The more you pick, the longer the plant will continue to bloom.

4.In the Kitchen

• →Storage: Snow peas are best eaten immediately after picking. If needed, store in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper for up to 5 days.
• →Preparation: These are "stringless," but many people prefer to "tip and tail" them (snap off the stem end) before cooking.
• →Culinary Use: These are the classic "stir-fry" peas. They are also delicious raw in salads or blanched for just 60 seconds and tossed with butter and lemon.