Oregon Sugar Pod II

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, garden-fresh pods arrive in a rush—crisp and tender with a translucent, sugar-snap snap that practically sings at first bite.

Oregon Sugar Pod II forms abundant, straight snow-pea pods that stay pleasantly flat and succulent, offering a clean, sweet pea flavor with a delicate crunch. Grow for fresh snacking, quick stir-fries, and vibrant additions to spring salads, letting the pods shine in every simple preparation.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of Oregon Sugar Pod II

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Oregon Sugar Pod II is all about that crisp-tender, sweet snap—its pods stay pleasant and translucent when treated gently. If you cook them too long, they’ll drift toward starchy; keep the heat brief so they remain crunchy enough to stand up to soy-ginger or sesame.

Best Uses

eat raw, chilled, as straight snack spears (they crunch fast and sweet)
quick stir-fry at high heat for 60–90 seconds—pods should blister but not turn starchy
toss into spring salads where the crunch survives a light vinaigrette
flash-sauté and fold into fried rice or noodles for bright, green sweetness

Flavor Profile

sweet sugar-snap flavor translucent crisp-tender pods clean, lightly vegetal finish snappy snap that stays glassy

Kitchen Pairings

ginger garlic lemon soy sauce sesame oil eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Pisum sativum (sugar snap peas), and how do I control it?

Watch for powdery mildew, especially when days are warm and nights stay humid; look for a white, dusty coating on leaves and vines. Improve airflow by spacing plants and avoid overhead watering, then spray with a potassium bicarbonate or sulfur product labeled for edible powdery mildew on peas. If you see severe leaf dieback, remove affected plants early to reduce spread because pea vines regenerate poorly once heavily infected.

How often should I water sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum) during their main growing phase?

During the 4–6 weeks of active flowering to pod fill (around weeks 5–9 for many plantings), keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, split into 2–3 watering days if it’s hot. Water at the base to wet the root zone, and don’t let the soil swing dry then water heavily, which can cause smaller pods and reduced sweetness. Mulch lightly to steady moisture, but keep the crown and lower leaves dry to limit mildew.

How can I tell when Oregon Sugar Pod II sugar snap peas are ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when pods are about finger length and the peas inside are still small and tender (typically just before the pods bulge fully), usually around 60 days from sowing. Pods should snap cleanly when bent, and the surface should look smooth and bright rather than dull or overgrown. For best sweetness, pick every 1–2 days once they start producing, because leaving pods on the vine too long reduces new pod set.