PEA - SUGAR ANN

 Organic Pea Sugar Ann

        20 Seeds Pack    

Heirloom  Stringless Sugar Snap peas were derived from a cross between a thick shelled English pea and a snow pea developed in the late 1960’s by Dr. Calvin Lamborn of the Gallatin Valley Seed Company in Twin Falls, Idaho. The first snap peas were bred to be exceptionally sweet with less fibrous and edible shells and were first introduced in 1979. Stringless Sugar Snap peas grow best in areas with temperate climates with cooler growing conditions and mild summer temperatures.  

Sugar Ann peas have bright green pods with thick walls that average 8 to 10 centimetres long. The smooth, shiny pods are straight to slightly curved and encase a single row of plump green peas. The pods offer a firm, crisp texture that is crunchy and juicy. Within are 6 to 8 round, tender peas that offer a sweet, slightly nutty flavour.  

    PLANTING & GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them. 

For best results peas need an open, sunny position with good drainage. Never sow in cold, wet soil; acidic soils should be limed. If spring is slow to arrive, warm the soil with polythene before sowing and then protect seedlings with horticultural fleece. Generally, peas prefer cooler weather and grow well in cool springs. Prefers well-drained soil, average fertility, high in organic matter with pH 6.0 to 7.0. 

In well drained soil, peas can be sown outdoors in November, for an early crop. In spring, wait until the soil is warm to the touch, which will be some time between the middle of March and the middle of May, depending on your soil and where you live. Putting a layer of fleece over the soil in early March will help warm up the soil by as much as a couple of weeks. Make successional sowings every two weeks. 

Sow seed in a single row 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) apart, ensuring there is enough space for plant supports. Make a single V-shaped drill, 5cm (2in) deep, water the base of the drill and sow the peas. A second row can be added, as long as it’s 30cm (12in) away from the first drill. It is important to have room to get between the rows to pick - 3ft is probably the minimum and 6ft is ideal.  

Water your peas well after sowing, and then leave them - except in very dry weather - until they flower, when they should have a really good soak to encourage good pod formation. Keep them weeded until well established.  

Peas are a useful part of the gardener's vegetable rotation. Cut off the stems at ground level, and allow the roots to rot down and release nitrogen back into the soil. The nitrogen can be taken up by the crop that follows them - usually a brassica such as cabbage. 

Peas grow great with beans. Green beans and drying beans work well. Peas are a legume so they have similar nutrient and water needs. Never plant peas with onions, chives, leeks, scallions, walking onions, bunching onions, shallots or green onions. They don’t like each other at all and won’t thrive in the same area. 

Do not plant peas in the same place more than once in every 4 years. Avoid planting where in places where peas have suffered before from root rot.