When is the best time to plant snow peas?

Snow pea is an annual climbing herb belonging to the genus pea of ​​the Fabaceae family. It is a semi-cold-resistant crop that prefers a cool, humid climate. Snow peas can be eaten raw or cooked, and are often used in making salads, stir-fries, etc. They have a crisp texture and delicious taste. So when should snow peas be planted?

When to plant snow peas?

The planting time of snow peas varies from region to region, and spring and autumn are generally the peak planting seasons. In northern regions, seeds are usually sown in August and September and harvested in October. In the southern region, it can be planted almost all year round, and the growing period is about 40-60 days.

How to sow snow peas quickly to promote germination?

Sowing time: Snow pea seeds germinate best at a temperature of 15-18℃. In southern regions, sowing is usually done in March in spring and September in autumn.

Seed soaking: For round seeds that easily absorb water, they can be sown directly. However, for wrinkled seeds, it is recommended to soak them in room temperature water for 10-12 hours before sowing to promote water absorption.

Sowing method: Choose healthy seeds without diseases or insect pests, and dry them in the sun for 2-3 days on a sunny day. Mix the seeds with 0.3% carbendazim wettable powder and keep them covered for 18-24 hours. Water the bottom thoroughly before sowing, sow 2-4 seeds in each hole, cover with a thin layer of fine soil after sowing, and use mulch to maintain soil moisture to promote rapid emergence. Unless there is drought, watering is generally not required during the seedling stage.

Key points for daily management of snow peas

Water and fertilizer management: Snow peas need sufficient base fertilizer, and generally no watering or topdressing is required from sowing to bud appearance. After buds appear, apply 15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. After pod formation, apply top dressing every 10-15 days, using 10-15 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer each time.

Pruning and hanging vines: Snow peas need to be cultivated by hanging vines. When the plant grows to 30cm, a support or rope should be erected. During the peak growth period, the vines need to be tied frequently, and when the side vines grow to 15-16 nodes, they can be pinched on a sunny day.

Pest and disease control: Snow peas are susceptible to rust, downy mildew, powdery mildew and viral diseases, as well as leaf miners and aphids. Even if the disease has not occurred, you should spray thiophanate-methyl or myclobutanil every week for prevention. Once the disease occurs, targeted prevention and control are required.

Harvesting: Snow peas can be harvested 8-10 days after flowering. They should be harvested in time to prevent fibrosis from affecting the taste and to ensure that the plant supplies nutrients to the young pods.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and key points of snow peas. If you want to plant snow peas, you can make comprehensive considerations based on the climatic conditions in your area.