Sugar Daddy

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, crisp pods arrive with a luminous snap—Sugar Daddy’s stringless, sugar-forward peas are a garden delight from first harvest to the last.

The pods are bold, full-bodied, and tender, with a juicy crunch that shines whether you enjoy them straight from the vine or toss them into quick, vibrant preparations. Grow Sugar Daddy for a steady stream of market-class snap peas that stay pleasantly sweet and never turn tough.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 58 DaysHabit: Bush

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 22nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	58
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sugar Daddy snap peas are all about the luminous snap—stringless pods that keep their sweetness and body even under fast heat. Use them at the last moment (or raw/blanched) so the pods stay glassy-tender instead of going flat and starchy.

Best Uses

blanch-and-shock for a glossy, bright side that stays crisp
quick sauté with butter until just blistered, not steamed into softness
raw snacking or shaving into salads for a luminous crunch
stir-fry add-in in the final minute for sweet snap-pods

Flavor Profile

sugar-forward sweetness juicy, snappy pod crunch pea-like snap with a clean green finish stringless tenderness for quick cookery

Kitchen Pairings

ginger garlic butter lemon soy sauce parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Pisum sativum (sugar pod peas), and how can I manage it at home?

A frequent problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on pea leaves and can reduce pod fill. Improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t stay crowded, water at soil level (not over the foliage), and remove badly infected leaves early. If mildew starts spreading, treat with an appropriate sulfur-based fungicide label rate and reapply as directed, focusing on leaf surfaces.

How often should I water sugar pod peas during their main growth phase?

During the period of rapid flowering and pod development (roughly mid-season), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency to prevent drying out during hot spells; the top few inches should feel slightly moist, not dry. Consistent moisture helps prevent flower drop and misshapen pods.

How do I know when sugar pod peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are sweet and crisp, before peas become starchy—typically around the 58-day mark. Look for pods that are full-sized but still tender, with no bulging hard bumps inside and pods that snap easily when bent. Pick every 1–2 days during peak production to keep plants from passing quality to older, tougher pods.