Snap peas are a cool season vegetable which means they will perform best when temperatures are in the 70's and can even tolerate light frost. Their growing season is only about 60 days so seed is generally sown in spring and again in fall. Yields decrease as day length increases. If overhead watering it is best to do this early in the day so the plants have a chance to dry before nightfall. This will reduce the incidence of leaf diseases. An organic mulch about two inches in depth will help retain soil moisture and reduce weed seed germination. Have you grown peas in this location before? Have you had a soil test done? Have you fertilized your peas? Do you know your soil pH? These are all things that can affect the health of your plants. There are a few diseases that can affect peas; powdery mildew, root rot, bacterial blight and wilt. Powdery mildew is most destructive in warm weather so planting early and using a short-season variety of pea is best. To read more about pea diseases see: http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/p231peadiseases.html

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