Crop details

Snow peas

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

Family: Fabaceae

Quick stats

Family	Fabaceae
Typical harvest	6.7 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	7
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	70
Main uses	Young flat pods eaten whole in stir-fries, mixed vegetable dishes and for fresh export markets.
Pollination	self
Origin / where it grows	Snow peas are grown in cool and medium-altitude areas of East Africa, often alongside French beans for fresh and export markets.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	12–22 °C
Rainfall	600–900 mm/yr
Altitude	1400–2600 m
Best pH	6.2–7
Soil type	Well-drained fertile loam or sandy loam with plenty of organic matter for good root growth and nodulation.
Row spacing	60 cm
Plant spacing	5 cm
Planting depth	3 cm
Seed rate	80 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 70 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for young flat pods eaten whole in stir-fries, mixed vegetable dishes and for fresh export markets..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by self. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Snow peas are grown in cool and medium-altitude areas of East Africa, often alongside French beans for fresh and export markets. It is grouped under: Vegetables.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 600 to 900 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6.2 to 7. It does well in well-drained fertile loam or sandy loam with plenty of organic matter for good root growth and nodulation.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 5 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 3 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 80 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow Snow peas directly in moist soil. Place seeds in rows next to a support line or trellis, and cover with fine soil. Provide stakes or netting before plants start climbing.

Transplanting: Snow peas are usually not transplanted; direct planting is easier and safer for the taproot.

Irrigation: Keep soil evenly moist from sowing to pod filling. Avoid water stress at flowering and early pod development, and do not allow standing water.

Fertigation: With drip irrigation, give small amounts of balanced NPK early, then reduce nitrogen later, as Snow peas fix nitrogen once nodules form.

Pest scouting: Inspect 2–3 times per week for aphids, thrips, leaf miners, pod borers and diseases. Check young shoots, flowers and flat pods carefully.

Pruning: Guide vines onto strings or netting and remove only badly diseased or broken shoots. Keep weeds low to improve airflow.

Harvest: Harvest Snow peas when pods are flat, bright green and seeds inside are still small. Pick every 1–2 days to maintain quality and encourage new pods.

Postharvest: Handle gently to avoid bruising. Keep in shade, avoid heat and dry wind, and cool as soon as possible for good shelf life.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	70 kg/ha	N: 12, P₂O₅: 12, K₂O: 12	Band fertilizer slightly to the side and below the Snow pea seed line.
2	Early topdress	18	CAN 26% N	50 kg/ha	N: 13, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply along rows in moist soil if crop colour is light green.
3	Topdress at early flowering	30	NPK 10-10-20 or SOP-based mix	60 kg/ha	N: 6, P₂O₅: 6, K₂O: 12	Focus on potassium to improve pod firmness, colour and shelf life.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	15	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	40	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	30	kg/ha
N	Topdress_early	15	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_early	20	kg/ha
N	Topdress_flowering	10	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_flowering	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_flowering	20	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Fine Snow pea (export type)	KE	65	Flat, tender pods, suitable for export and high-end local markets.
Medium Snow pea selection	KE	70	Slightly wider pods for local fresh markets.
Climbing Snow pea	TZ	70	Needs staking but gives higher yield per area where trellis is available.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	70	Starter nutrients before Snow peas start fixing nitrogen.
Topdress (early)	CAN 26% N	50	Applied only where Snow peas look pale or soil N is low.
High K for pods	Sulfate of potash (SOP) or NPK with higher K	40	Around flowering to improve pod quality and storage life.
Organic	Well-rotted manure or compost	5000	Incorporate before planting to improve soil structure and moisture holding.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Aphids	pest	Soft insects on shoot tips and underside of leaves causing curling and sticky honeydew on Snow peas.	Encourage natural enemies, avoid excessive nitrogen and use selective insecticides/biopesticides when populations build.
Thrips	pest	Silver streaks and scarring on leaves and pods, reducing pod quality.	Monitor flowering crops closely and treat with recommended products based on thresholds.
Leaf miners	pest	White, winding mines in leaves that reduce photosynthesis.	Remove heavily mined leaves early and use targeted controls when necessary.
Pod borers and caterpillars	pest	Holes and frass in pods; damaged peas inside.	Timely sprays based on scouting, quick removal of damaged pods and field sanitation.
Powdery mildew	disease	White powdery growth on Snow pea leaves and pods; leaves yellow and dry early.	Plant in cooler periods, improve airflow, avoid excess nitrogen and use fungicides if needed.
Downy mildew	disease	Yellow patches on upper leaf surface and grey-purple mould underneath, in cool, moist conditions.	Rotate crops, avoid overhead irrigation in the evening and apply suitable fungicides where necessary.
Root rots and damping-off	disease	Poor emergence, rotted seedlings and yellow, stunted plants in wet patches.	Use treated or clean seed, plant in well-drained soils and avoid waterlogging.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Smallholder Snow peas, low–medium input	4	2.5	6	Some fertilizer, basic pest control, simple staking.
Well-managed Snow peas with staking	7	5	9	Good variety, proper trellising, fertilization and regular harvesting.
Irrigated / export Snow peas	9	7	12	Cool highland areas with drip irrigation, fertigation and tight pest/disease control.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Highland Snow pea zones	Cooler months and main rainy seasons in highlands.	First flat pods from around 9–10 weeks after sowing, then frequent pickings.
KE	Irrigated highland belts	Staggered plantings where cool conditions can be maintained.	Extended production with careful disease and pest management.
TZ	Southern and northern highland Snow pea areas	Cool seasons with reliable rainfall or irrigation.	Harvests during cool, less humid periods for best quality.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Central and Rift Valley highlands (cool vegetable zones)	High
KE	Irrigated highland export belts	High
TZ	Southern and northern highland vegetable areas	High
UG	Cooler highland smallholder vegetable zones	High