What to sow now

Now’s the time to grow snow peas and save seeds from your parsley plants, writes PHIL DUDMAN

What a treat it is to munch on crisp, crunchy snow peas plucked fresh from the vine. They’re so sweet and delicious that kids love to pick and eat them, too. If there are any left, they’re great for adding raw to salads, plunging into dips or tossing in a hot wok. Then there are snow pea shoots, the young, tender vine tips, which are just as good to eat, with their subtle pea flavour. Snow peas are easy to grow from seed, and if you sow a new crop every month through the growing season (the cooler months in most areas; spring in cold temperate zones), you can be guaranteed a continuous supply. Choose a spot with well-drained soil and at least five hours of sun. Incorporate some compost, and if the pH is below 6, add lime or dolomite. Next, think about a support for the vines. Some timber lattice or wire mesh held in place with a couple of star pickets is easy to install and perfect for curly tendrils to cling to. For a bit more fun, make a teepee using a bunch of long poles (five or more) tied together at the top, and spiral some twine around the outside to give those tendrils plenty of clinging options.

Sow seed directly in the prepared soil, 2cm deep and 5–10 cm apart, then water well. Snow pea seeds are prone to rotting, so don’t water again until the soil around the seed has just dried. If there’s a week of wet weather ahead, consider starting the seed in multicell punnets, which can be moved undercover when necessary. Punnets dry out more quickly so need more regular watering. Shoots should appear within five to 10 days. Once seedlings are up and running, insert twigs next to them to guide them to their support.