Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County
Snap Peas
The image at right shows the weird ones laying on the wood (you can see the crease where I tested each one for 'snap'. I appreciate any insight you might have, this is my third year growing peas and the first time it's ever happened.
UCMGCC Help Desk Response: Thank you for contacting the UC Master Gardener Program Help Desk with a question about your snap peas. Snap peas' pods will naturally become woody or tough when they are too mature (late Spring for most County gardeners, a little later in West County). This is a common problem. You should harvest them just as the peas fill out. Waiting even a bit longer risks having tougher, woody pods. Most County vegetable gardeners grow Snap Peas as spring fill-in crops and harvest and pull them moving on to summer crops.
I hope this information is useful. Happy gardening!
Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County (SEH)
Note:UC Master Gardeners Program of Contra Costa's Help Deskis available almost year-round to answer yourgardening questions. Except for a few holidays (e.g., last 2 weeks December), we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 amto Noon at 2380BissoLane,Concord, CA 94520. We can also be reached via telephone:(925) 608-6683, email:ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web athttp://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/.MGCCBlogscan befound athttp://ccmg.ucanr.edu/HortCoCo/You can also subscribe to theBiog.
FAQs
Snap peas are also known as sugar snap peas and are a cross between snow peas and garden peas. The whole pod is eaten and has a crunchy texture and very sweet flavor. Snap peas may be eaten raw or cooked.
Can diabetics eat sugar snap peas? ›
Non-starchy vegetables, including sugar snap peas, are especially beneficial. 1 Due to their high phytonutrient content and fiber (which keeps blood sugar stable), sugar snap peas are a wonderful snack for helping to manage diabetes.
What do snap peas do for your body? ›
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Snap Peas
Snap peas are a good source of vitamin C which helps with immune function and helps heal cuts and wounds. Snap peas also contain iron which helps produce red blood cells. Vitamin K is also in snap peas, which helps with blood clotting and bone health.
How do you help snap peas climb? ›
Climbing varieties can reach six to eight feet in height and should be trellised. Since the pea tendrils will wrap around supports about 1/4-inch in diameter, add twine, string, small wire mesh or netting to the trellis to help them climb.
What is the best way to eat sugar snap peas? ›
Eat sugar snap peas raw or gently boiled so they don't lose that wonderful crisp crunch – they're great in salads or stir-fries.
Can you eat the casing of sugar snap peas? ›
Eat the whole pod.
Don't worry about removing the round peas inside. The pods on sugar snap peas are crunchy and sweet.
Can peas spike your blood sugar? ›
Is Peas Low Glycemic? Yes, peas are considered low glycemic due to their high fiber and protein content, which slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This makes them a good option for people with diabetes or those looking to manage their blood sugar levels.
Are snap peas a superfood? ›
Snap peas are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, fiber, and vitamin A. They can be prepared many different ways and used in many different recipes. University of Nebraska.
Do sugar snap peas have a lot of carbs? ›
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of either snow or sugar snap peas provides (1). Unlike your typical shelled pea, both snow peas and sugar snap peas are much less starchy — meaning they contain fewer carbs. In fact, both provide less than 8 grams of carbs in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) (1).
Are snap peas anti inflammatory? ›
Peas are a good source of vitamins C and E, zinc, and other antioxidants that strengthen your immune system. Other nutrients, such as vitamins A and B and coumestrol, help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
May support heart health
Peas contain heart-friendly minerals including magnesium, potassium and calcium and are also rich in antioxidant nutrients, like vitamin C, as well as phytonutrients including carotenoids and flavanols which are heart protective and support cardiovascular function.
Can you use a tomato cage for snap peas? ›
We've still been sharing those container gardens but y'all will need to get creative with your own trellis-building! If you have any circular metal tomato cages around, those are just right for trellising snap peas in a bigger pot (they also work well for cucumbers and other vining plants – not just tomatoes!).
Can you grow tomatoes with sugar snap peas? ›
Yes, peas and tomatoes can be companion planted. Tomatoes prefer warmer weather, so by the time they need more space and sunlight, the peas are usually ready to be harvested.
Why are sugar snap peas so expensive? ›
Be warned: snap peas are expensive. This is because snap peas do not travel well, and handling and transporting these with care to locations far from the source come with a cost that reflects on the price of snap peas sold in the frozen section.
Do you eat sugar snap peas hole? ›
The entire pod is edible and can be used in various recipes. Sugar snap peas are a good source of vitamins C and E, zinc, and other antioxidants that strengthen your immune system.
Can you eat the end of snap peas? ›
If you've never tried raw sugar snap peas, you're in for a treat. You can eat the whole pod, with the peas inside, and if you can get them fresh from the farmer's market, they will be so impressively sweet.
Do you need to pinch out sugar snap peas? ›
You don't want to wait until the peas are bulging out of the pod, and you also don't want to pick them too soon (when they look more like snow peas instead). To harvest sugar snap peas, pinch behind the “tassle” at the top of the pod and pull them off the vine.
