Pisum sativum 'Sugar Daddy'
vegetableSugar Daddy is a dwarf, stringless sugar snap pea, notable as one of the first snap peas bred entirely without the tough string along the pod seam. The plump, rounded pods are eaten whole, pod and peas together, with the crisp snap and sweetness that make snap peas a favorite raw or stir-fried. Its standout trait is the compact bush habit: plants stay around 24 to 30 inches and support themselves, so they fit containers and small beds and need little or no trellising. It also carries good resistance to powdery mildew and tolerance to bean leaf roll virus.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~70 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
2-4 in. apart
Planting Depth
1 in.
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Inoculate seed at planting; minimal additional fertilizer
Fertilizer
Low-nitrogen
Direct sow in cool soil in early spring as soon as the ground is workable, since peas grow in any weather above 40F and crop best between 55 and 65F. Sow about an inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart in full sun and soil of pH 6 to 7.5. Because the bush vines reach only 24 to 30 inches and hold each other up with their tendrils, a trellis is optional, though a few short twiggy supports keep pods clean. Water consistently to about an inch a week, as peas stall in drought. Succession sow every three weeks until temperatures approach 70 to 85F, then stop and resow for fall.
Direct sow
Mar 18
Projected first harvest
May 27
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Interplant mint; hose off with water; attract parasitic wasps with flowering herbs
Trellis for airflow; water at the base; increase spacing between plants
Reflective mulch; insecticidal soap on heavy infestations
Harvest when the pods are plump and rounded, almost filled out with peas, about 3 inches long; that is the snap stage, when they are sweetest and crispest. Pick every two to three days, because over-mature pods turn fibrous and signal the plant to slow down. Eat them whole raw, toss into a quick stir-fry, or shell them like garden peas. Snap peas lose sweetness fast after picking, so use them within about three days or refrigerate immediately, and freeze any surplus.
Snap peas are low in calories yet a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and iron, and they supply plant protein and fiber. Because the whole pod is eaten, nothing nutritious is discarded, so an edible-pod pea delivers more fiber and vitamins per pea than a shelled type. They make a satisfying raw snack straight from the garden, and the vitamin C is best preserved by eating them fresh or only briefly cooked.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.