Scientific Name: Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

Common Names: Snap Pea, Sugar Snap Pea, Sugar Snap Pea Climbing Type, Mangetout

Family: FABACEAE (Pea)

Etymology:

Pisum: Pea; Latin
sativum: Cultivated
macrocarpon: Large-Fruited ; Greek

Origin:

Pisum sativum, the species shelled peas, snowpeas and sugar snap peas have been bred from originates from the Mediterranean basin and Near East.  Although sugar snap peas were around in the 19th century, modern heirloom varieties owe their existence to breeding work done by Dr. Calvin Lamborn and Dr. M Parker who in 1952 crossed a thick-walled mutant pod pea with a snow pea to create a pea pod that which was less prone to distorting than snow peas while still retaining their delicious sweetness and tenderness.

Description:

This is a heirloom climbing variety of sugar snap pea that produces large tasty, stringless pods that can grow up to 9cm long.  This variety grows to almost 1m tall so it requires staking.  It is also frost resistant.

Uses:

Sugar snap pea pods due to their low stringiness can be enjoyed raw whole, lightly steamed to retain their crunch or tossed into a stir fry.  The young shoots and tendrils are sweet and can also be eaten raw, mixed into a salad or tossed into a stir fry at the end of cooking.  Pods are best eaten while still young and crisp before the seeds inside are fully matured.

Germination:

Sugar snap peas grow best when sown directly where they are to grow, 2-3cm deep and 5-6cm apart to create a dense wall of pea plants.  Grows best when sown from August to October in cold regions, April to September in temperate areas, April to July in the subtropics and from April to May in the tropics.  Along with beans, peas are one of the easiest garden vegetables to germinate.  Add lime to soil prior to sowing if soil is too acidic.  Soak seeds overnight in warm water to promote germination if outside soil temperatures are cool.

Cultivation:

Requires trellising, frames constructed out of bamboo and jute are ideal.  Flower set can be poor in hot conditions and shoot tips may be burnt by heavy frosts so it is best to plant sugar snap peas when conditions are mild.  This variety takes between 9 and 10 weeks to set pods.  Likes well-drained soils.  Plant in full sun and shelter from strong winds.

First Sugar Snap Peas of the season growing on the vine.