Growing sugar snap peas can be a fun and straightforward way to involve children in gardening, providing nutritious snack packed with Vitamin A & C as well as being an excellent source of protein. Even if you can't produce enough for fresh consumption, freezing them allows you to still enjoy this delectable treat all winter long!
Sugar snap peas are a cool-season vegetable that thrives best during spring and early summer in cooler climates; in warmer areas they may continue producing well into late fall. Their planting window starts early spring and ends late summer (or earlier fall in certain locations). Wait too long and risk frost or soggy soil from snowmelt ruining your pea patch!
Indoor sowing of pea seeds is an ideal solution if your greenhouse doesn't get warm enough, or if you want to begin growing plants earlier. Begin by soaking your seeds overnight in room temperature water, before sowing them 1-1 1/2 inches apart into rows 18 to 36 inches apart with thin soil layers covering them and watered regularly - they should start sprouting after three to five days and need to be transferred outdoors when ready.
Before transplanting peas, be sure to harden them off gradually over a week or so by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions - this helps ensure their viability against frost or cold snap, or soggy soil that gets saturated by rainfall, as both are potential threats for young plants.
Once planted, tie peas to a trellis or fence using twine. Depending on their variety of peas, some varieties may require additional support when climbing; bamboo pole teepees or wooden stake teepees work well, or use pruned branches from trees as natural-looking trellises that extend up to six feet high as an economical option.
Harvest peas by gently tugging each pod to check for snapping at its top, selecting light green pods that have become slightly swollen in colour and lightly green in hue. You can enjoy these delectable treats raw, steamed or added into stir-fry dishes!
Sugar snap peas don't require blanching in order to maintain their crispiness - indeed, blanching can result in loss of sweetness and crunch! For optimal results, store in an airtight paper bag in your vegetable drawer in the refrigerator in order to maintain their awesome crunchiness!
Peas are an excellent addition to salads and can also be added to pasta, soups and stews for an easy boost in nutrition and taste. Peas contain vitamins A, B6 and potassium - great ways to lower blood pressure! One cup of raw sugar snap peas provides around 4 grams of carbohydrates making them a nutritious weight loss diet choice.
