When is the best time to sow snow peas?

Snow peas are widely grown in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Yunnan and Guangdong. In the south, snow peas are usually grown in the open air, while in the north, they are mostly cultivated in greenhouses . Greenhouse cultivation in the north generally starts with sowing in early March each year and harvesting can begin in early May. May is considered the peak season for snow pea harvest. When to finish harvesting usually depends on the growth and health of the plants. Let’s learn below: When is the best time to sow snow peas?

When is the best time to sow snow peas?

Snow peas prefer a mild and humid climate, and the most suitable growing temperature range is between 16 and 23 degrees Celsius. When the temperature rises above 25 degrees Celsius, its flowering and pod setting process may be adversely affected. In addition, snow peas have very stringent requirements for humidity. During their entire growth cycle, they need to maintain high air humidity and sufficient water supply . This crop also prefers moist and fertile soil, preferably a slightly acidic soil environment.

As for the germination of snow pea seeds, the most suitable temperature range is 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. In the southern region, due to the more suitable climatic conditions, snow peas can be planted twice a year in an open-air environment, sowing in March in spring and September in autumn respectively.

Field management of snow peas

1. Water and fertilizer management

During the cultivation of snow peas, it is crucial to ensure sufficient base fertilizer and soil moisture. After sowing, additional watering or fertilization is usually not needed until the plants begin to bud. Once buds appear, irrigation and topdressing should be carried out immediately, with 15 kg of compound fertilizer applied per mu of land. When snow peas begin to form pods, it means that they have entered a critical stage of growth. At this time, it is necessary to maintain a high air humidity and soil moisture to ensure adequate supply of water and fertilizer. Usually, top dressing is carried out every 10 to 15 days, with 10 to 15 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer applied per mu each time, or special flushing fertilizer for beans is used.

2. Plant management

Snow peas are usually grown in hanging vine cultivation. When the plant grows to a height of 30 cm, a bracket or rope is needed to support the plant. Since snow peas have many branches and vines but cannot wrap around themselves, they need to be tied and wrapped regularly, especially during the peak growth period, which should be done almost every day. When the side vines grow to 15 to 16 nodes, choose sunny weather to do the pinching operation.

3. Pest and disease management

Snow peas can be affected by rust, downy mildew, powdery mildew and viral diseases, as well as being attacked by pests such as leaf miners and aphids. Although these pests and diseases are relatively easy to control, you still need to remain vigilant and spray with thiophanate-methyl or azoxystrobin once a week for prevention even when there are no obvious signs of disease. Once pests and diseases are discovered, targeted prevention and control measures should be taken immediately.

4. Harvest

Snow peas can be harvested 8 to 10 days after flowering. Harvesting should be done in a timely manner to avoid pod fibrosis, which affects edible quality. Timely harvesting also ensures that the plant's nutrients can be effectively supplied to the newly formed pods.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time and daily management points of snow peas. You can choose the appropriate variety and appropriate sowing time according to the specific environmental conditions.