Tall Climbing Pea
Garden Pea
Pisum sativum
Crop overview
- Crop group
- Legume
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Growth habit
- Cool-Season Climbing Vine With Tendrils
This profile covers tall vining garden peas grown for shelling peas, edible snap pods or snow-pea pods and trained vertically on a trellis. It does not cover dwarf or bush peas, field peas, chickpeas, cowpeas or ornamental sweet peas. Harvest timing and pod stage vary between shelling, snap and snow-pea cultivars, so follow the seed packet where its advice differs.
Variety examples
Sugar Snap, Super Sugar Snap, Alderman (also sold as Tall Telephone), Green Beauty, Carouby de Maussane
Quick facts
- Plant spacing
- 5 cm – 15 cm
- Row spacing
- 45 cm
- Support height
- 1.50 m – 2.40 m
- Support strength
- Light
- Support types
- Trellis Netting, Pea Mesh, Wire Fence, Twiggy Branches, Vertical String Trellis
- Training method
- Tendril
- Vertical suitability
- Recommended
- Sun requirement
- Full Sun
- Days to harvest
- 55–75 days
Support & training
Training requirements
Install the support before sowing. Guide young shoots toward the trellis until their tendrils attach. Closely spaced plants will often cling to one another as well as the support.
Pruning requirements
Pruning is generally unnecessary. Remove badly damaged or diseased growth where practical, but avoid heavy pruning.
Growing setup guidance
Container
Minimum size: 20 L
Plants per container: 6
Grow up to six plants in a wide container holding at least 20 L (about 5 US gal) of potting mix. Space them around the base of firmly anchored mesh, twiggy supports or a narrow trellis. Use excellent drainage and keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Larger containers help keep the roots cooler and moist for longer as the weather warms.
Raised bed
Sow in a single row along an installed trellis. Peas have relatively shallow roots, so weed carefully and maintain even moisture during flowering and pod development. Position the trellis where it will not heavily shade later warm-season crops.
In-ground
Direct sow beside the completed support as soon as the soil is workable and conditions are cool. Avoid compacted or waterlogged ground. Do not cultivate deeply around established plants because their roots are easily damaged.
Planting, pollination & harvest
Sowing / transplanting
Direct sow as soon as the soil is workable and consistently at least 4°C (40°F). Germination is faster and more reliable in soil around 13–18°C (55–65°F). Peas generally prefer direct sowing; if using seedlings, transplant them young and handle the roots carefully.
Pollination
Garden peas are generally self-fertile and normally produce pods without another variety nearby. Pollinating insects may visit the flowers but are not usually required for pod set.
Warnings
Peas prefer cool weather and decline when temperatures remain above about 27°C (80°F). Hot days and warm nights can cause flower drop and poor pod set. Avoid waterlogged soil, which can cause seed rot and root disease. Watch for aphids, powdery mildew, birds, slugs and seedling damage.
General notes
Harvest frequently because mature peas lose sweetness and tenderness quickly. Pick shelling peas when the seeds are plump but still tender, snow peas while the pods are full-sized but still flat, and snap peas when the pods are plump, crisp and juicy. Hold the vine while picking to avoid tearing it from the support.
Climate guidance
Climate suitability: Possible
Planting season
Plant very early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. The goal is to complete flowering and most pod production before sustained summer heat. A late-summer sowing for an autumn harvest may be possible where a long cool autumn follows.
Wet / dry season
Maintain even moisture during flowering and pod filling. Mulch lightly once plants are established if spring conditions become dry, but avoid keeping cold soil excessively wet.
Soil temperature
Direct sow when soil is consistently at least 4°C (40°F). Germination and emergence are quickest around 13–18°C (55–65°F).
Frost sensitivity
Established young vines usually tolerate light frost, but flowers and developing pods are more vulnerable. Protect flowering plants if a damaging freeze is expected.
Heat sensitivity
Hot days and warm nights can cause flowers to abort and reduce pod quality. Production often ends once temperatures remain above about 27–29°C (80–85°F).
Humidity / disease
Wet spring soil can cause poor germination and root disease. Avoid overhead watering where practical and allow vines to dry between rain or irrigation.
Sowing guidance
Direct sow beside the trellis in early spring. For an autumn crop, count backward from the expected first hard frost and allow enough time for the variety to mature in shortening days.
Notes
Do not wait for frost-free weather as you would with beans or cucumbers. Peas need the cool early part of the season.