When to plant Sugar Snap Peas in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow sugar snap peas direct from April to June and again from August to October, pushing seed 20–30 mm deep into cool, moist soil. They germinate in 7–14 days and crop quickly, reaching maturity in just 60–70 days. Space seeds 8–10 cm apart along rows set 60 cm apart, and put a trellis or netting in place at sowing so the climbing vines have support from the start. As a hardy cool-season crop, sugar snaps thrive through the mild winters and springs of temperate gardens in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: April to June and August to October.

Growing notes

Sugar snap peas are a cool-season crop, and timing is the whole game. The two windows suit temperate gardens well: an autumn sowing from April to June for winter cropping in frost-mild areas, and a August to October sowing for a spring harvest. Avoid pushing them into summer; heat above the mid-20s scorches the flowers and the pods turn tough and stringy.

Set up support before or at sowing. Even so-called dwarf sugar snaps climb, and vines left to sprawl on the ground rot and are far harder to pick. A 1.5–2 m trellis or a run of pea netting along the 60 cm-spaced rows is ideal.

The classic failure here is rotting seed. Peas sown into cold, waterlogged soil often fail to emerge, so wait for a drier spell, avoid overwatering after sowing, and do not pre-soak seed in cold, wet ground. Powdery mildew is the other common problem, especially in a humid Sydney spring; space rows for airflow, water at the base rather than over the foliage, and pull spent vines promptly. Pick pods young and often while they are plump but still crisp, since regular harvesting keeps the plants producing.

Sugar Snap Peas at a glance

Common questions

When should I plant sugar snap peas in Melbourne?

Sow direct from April to June for a winter-to-early-spring crop, or from August to October for a spring harvest. Melbourne's mild temperate winters suit peas well, provided you avoid sowing into cold, waterlogged soil.

How deep do you sow sugar snap peas?

Fairly deep for a vegetable, at 20–30 mm. Space the seeds 8–10 cm apart along rows 60 cm apart, and have a trellis in place at sowing so the vines can climb from the outset.

Why did my pea seeds rot instead of sprouting?

Cold, waterlogged soil is the usual cause. Peas need moist but not soggy ground to germinate, so sow during a drier spell, avoid overwatering, and do not sow into a bed that stays wet after rain.

How do I stop powdery mildew on sugar snap peas?

Improve airflow and keep foliage dry. Space rows generously, water at the base rather than overhead, and remove old vines quickly. Mildew tends to hit late in a humid temperate spring, so early sowings often finish before it takes hold.

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