Sugar Ann is a snap pea rather than a flat-podded snow pea. Its pod becomes rounded and fleshy as peas develop yet remains entirely edible when harvested tender. This distinction explains why the pod should fill slightly before picking without waiting until it becomes hard or fibrous.
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Organic dwarf early open-pollinated snap pea
Fabaceae
Organic snap pea seeds
Organic ‘Sugar Ann’ snap pea (Pisum sativum ‘Sugar Ann’)
Pisum sativum ‘Sugar Ann’
Sugar Ann is an organic dwarf very early open-pollinated snap pea with green rounded fleshy crisp entirely edible pods.
Quantity
About 100 seeds
Exposure
Sun to light partial shade
Difficulty level
Easy to moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Pisum
Species
sativum
Cultivar
Sugar Ann
Type
Organic dwarf early open-pollinated snap pea
Cycle
Cool-season annual
Organic ‘Sugar Ann’ snap pea (Pisum sativum ‘Sugar Ann’) is a dwarf, very early snap pea with rounded pods eaten whole while tender and juicy. Unlike the flat pod of a snow pea, snap pea pods become fleshy as the peas develop. Sugar Ann received an All-America Selections award in 1984 and remains valued for rapid production on compact plants. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 100 organic open-pollinated non-heirloom seeds and plant height of 60–90 cm.
Direct sow April through June as soon as soil can be worked, 2.5–4 cm deep and approximately 5–10 cm apart. Maintain cool, loose, well-drained soil; 10–18°C supports emergence in 7–14 days. Full sun gives the best yield, while light partial shade may extend quality as heat arrives. Keep moisture even, especially during flowering and pod filling. A low trellis supports stems, improves airflow, and simplifies picking even for this dwarf variety.
Harvest generally begins near 52–56 days after sowing; the workbook gives a cautious 55–65-day window. Pick while pods are bright green, fleshy, crisp, and lightly filled, before they become hard or fibrous. Pick every one or two days to support continued production. Sugar Ann is excellent fresh, as a snack, in salads, lightly steamed, or stir-fried. A university source reports Fusarium wilt resistance, but no absolute resistance or powdery mildew resistance is claimed for this lot.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 2.5 to 4 cm (1 to 1½ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 5 to 10 cm between plants; rows spaced for airflow and harvest
Establishment temperature
10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 14 days
Best planting time
April through June as soon as soil can be worked
Propagation
Direct sowing
Growing method
Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked, 2.5–4 cm deep and 5–10 cm apart. Maintain 10–18°C and even moisture until emergence in 7–14 days. Install a low trellis before stems tangle. Thin without disturbing remaining roots, water at soil level, and weed shallowly. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Protect young shoots from birds if necessary and pick pods every one or two days once long, flat, and tender.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Sun to light partial shade
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
-4°C (25°F)
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist from sowing through the end of harvest. Water gently after sowing to avoid displacing seed, then deeply once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Flowering and pod filling are most sensitive: drought reduces tenderness and yield while saturated soil promotes oxygen stress and root disease. Water at soil level in the morning, mulch lightly after emergence, and avoid unnecessarily wetting foliage. In containers check moisture daily during windy or warm weather.
Soil type
Choose loose, cool, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost without excess. Peas generally prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6.0–7.0. Work the bed only once soil no longer sticks to tools to preserve its structure. Avoid waterlogged ground that deprives roots of air and recent applications of rich manure. In containers use stable mix that retains moisture while draining surplus rapidly. A three- to four-year rotation away from other legumes helps reduce accumulation of root diseases.
Fertilization
Incorporate a small amount of mature compost before sowing if soil is poor, then avoid nitrogen-rich feeding. Like other legumes, peas can associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria when soil and inoculum are favourable; excess nitrogen mainly stimulates foliage and may delay flowers. Base any additional input on a soil test or directions for a vegetable-garden fertilizer. In containers a weak balanced feed may be used if growth pales, always on moist soil. Never place concentrated fertilizer directly against seed or roots.
Seasonal care
In spring sow as soon as soil can be worked and protect young shoots from birds if needed. Install a short trellis before stems tangle. Maintain moisture, weed shallowly, and monitor aphids, slugs, and foliar symptoms. Avoid water stress during flowering. Harvest pods every one or two days. When heat slows production remove diseased plants; healthy plants may be cut at soil level with roots left to decompose in place.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
15 to 20 L (4 to 5 gal) with a low trellis
Use a 15–20 L container at least 25–30 cm deep with numerous drainage holes. Fill with fertile loose free-draining mix and install a low trellis before sowing. Sow 2.5–4 cm deep with plants approximately 5–10 cm apart. Place the container in morning sun or sun with light shade during strong heat. Keep soil cool without standing water and harvest often. The listed volume suits a small group of plants; avoid overcrowding to preserve airflow and access for picking.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
White
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Annual deciduous herbaceous foliage
Growth rate
Fast in cool weather
Bloom period
White flowers followed quickly by pod formation
Fruiting
Numerous sweet crisp pods eaten whole while young and fleshy
Harvest
Begin watching for harvest near 52–56 days after sowing; the supplier workbook lists 55–65 days. Pick when pods are bright green, rounded, fleshy, and crisp with peas visible but still tender. Hold the stem with one hand and detach the pod with the other. Pick every one or two days to support continued production. Cool sound pods promptly and discard any that are yellowed, mouldy, slimy, or abnormal-smelling.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Carrot, lettuce, radish, turnip
Avoid planting with
Onion, garlic, shallot, leek
Fresh pods, snacks, salads, steaming, and stir-fries
From the garden to inspiration.
Crisp Sugar Ann salad — Rinse and trim young pods, then slice diagonally. Combine with cucumber, radishes, herbs, and a light lemon dressing. Serve immediately to preserve juicy texture. For a warm version blanch pods for one minute and cool rapidly before assembling. Refrigerate ingredients and leftovers within two hours and use promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Direct sow April through June as soon as soil can be worked. Place seed 2.5–4 cm deep and approximately 5–10 cm apart. Temperature of 10–18°C with even moisture normally produces emergence in 7–14 days. Sugar Ann prefers cool weather; successive sowings one to two weeks apart can extend harvest before hot weather.
Support is not always essential because Sugar Ann is dwarf, but a low trellis is recommended. It keeps pods clean, improves airflow, simplifies picking, and prevents stems from collapsing under their crop. Install 60–90 cm mesh or branches before tendrils tangle. In containers secure the support so it withstands wind.
Begin near 52–56 days after sowing or within the workbook’s 55–65-day window. Pick when pods are bright green, rounded, fleshy, and crisp with peas visible but still tender. Harvest every one or two days to support new flowers. If a pod becomes hard or very fibrous, use the interior peas instead.
A University of Arkansas extension sheet reports Fusarium wilt resistance for Sugar Ann. Resistance reduces risk without guaranteeing absence of disease. No specific powdery mildew resistance is claimed for this lot. Rotate three to four years away from legumes, water at soil level, space for airflow, and remove severely affected plants rather than composting them.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
