Sugar Ann Snap Pea Seeds - (Pisum sativum)

Sugar Ann Snap Pea – A Symphony of Sweetness in Your Garden

The Sugar Ann snap pea has won the hearts of home gardeners everywhere thanks to its exceptional sweetness and reliable production. Surprisingly, two pea breeders from Idaho are responsible for the revival of snap peas and the birth of the highly popular Sugar Ann variety. Snap peas were unavailable – a forgotten delicacy – having disappeared from the seed trade sometime in the 1970s, even though they are documented as far back as the 1880s. 

Dr. MC Parker and Dr. Calvin Lambert of Twin Falls, Idaho, initially sought ways to straighten the normally twisted Chinese snow pea pods by breeding them with other pea varieties. Dr. Parker had stumbled upon a peculiar "rogue" pea plant with a tight but inedible pod and introduced it to Dr. Lambert, who bred it with a snow pea and began experimenting, looking for a sweet, thick-walled pod. 

Lamborn made a breakthrough in 1969 – a pea plant with a sweet, thick-walled pod that was tender, edible, and delicious. Selective cultivation for desired traits and refinements took a decade, and in 1979, the Sugar Snap pea was released, earning immediate recognition and the All-America Selections title that year. 

The Sugar Snap pea is a tall, vining variety, and home gardeners asked for a shorter, more compact plant. Dr. Lamborn continued selecting and breeding for shorter plants with better production of thick-walled, even sweeter peas. In 1983, he released the Sugar Ann variety, named after his daughter Ruth Ann. It continues to be one of the most popular sugar snap peas for home gardeners. 

Details

Sugar Ann snap pea is the perfect example of "good things come in small packages." It is a dwarf, bush-type snap pea that doesn’t need trellises or staking. Growing to a modest height of about 24-30 inches, it's a perfect fit for even the smallest of gardens, thriving in raised beds or containers on your patio or balcony. It is one of the earliest snap pea varieties available. 

Think of a bushy mound of vibrant green foliage dotted with plump, dark green pods—that's the promise of Sugar Ann. These pods are typically 2-3 inches long and contain 6-8 large, crunchy, sweet peas.

And the best part? The young pods are wholly stringless and entirely edible, inviting you to pick them straight from the bush for a fresh, crisp snack without fuss. There’s the satisfying crunch as you bite into a pod, followed by the burst of sweetness that dances on your taste buds. 

This delightful combination of texture and flavor makes Sugar Ann a favorite among gardeners of all levels. Its early maturity ensures a plentiful harvest even in regions with shorter growing seasons, so you won't have to wait long to savor the fruits of your labor. With its high sugar content, excellent yields, and adaptability to various climates, Sugar Ann is a reliable and delightful experience from planting to the plate.

Types of Fresh Peas:

• Snap Peas: Eaten whole, pod and all. (Sugar Ann is a snap pea). Crisp and sweet, snap peas differ from shelling and snow peas in that their pods are thicker, rounder, crunchier, juicy, sweet, and entirely edible. 
• Sugar Peas: Similar to snap peas, but with flatter pods and slightly smaller peas. Also, eaten whole.
• Shelling Peas: Grown for the peas inside the pod, which are shelled and eaten fresh, frozen, or canned.
• Edible Pod Peas: A broader category encompassing both snap and sugar peas.

History

Garden peas originate in northwest India, Afghanistan, and adjacent areas in middle Asia. Ethnobotanists found wild field peas and many cultivated forms of P. sativum in these regions. However, wild P. sativum hasn’t been discovered yet. Large areas in southern Russia and southern Europe still have extensive tracts of wild field peas. 

These early peas were grown for their dry seeds, which were smaller and darker than modern garden peas. They were a dependable food source during the transition to agriculture, easy to carry, and could sprout for several years. Excavations in Switzerland and Hungary found primitive garden peas dating back to the Bronze and Stone Ages. Pisum sativum is the only culinary vegetable traced back to the Stone Age, according to Charles Pickering's 1879 Chronological History of Plants.

Ancient excavations at Troy have uncovered garden peas. Theophrastus, often called the Father of Botany, described peas and their cultivation in Chapter 8 of his book "Enquiry into Plants." This chapter focuses on cereals and peas. Theophrastus, who passed away in 287 BC, wrote the oldest known treatise on botany.

During the Middle Ages, garden peas were widely cultivated in northern Europe and served as a crucial source of nutrition for the people and armies of that time. In 1066, peas were a chief crop in England, and by 1400, they were frequently mentioned in the "Expenses of Collegiate and Monastic Houses." From the 1400s to the mid-1600s, peas were a staple, and "pottage" and "porridge" were terms used to refer to peas and their dishes. Sugar peas were also common and described in John Worlidge's Systema Horticulture, or the Art of Gardening, in 1677.

European explorers introduced garden peas early on, possibly starting with Columbus on his second voyage. Cartier mentions that the natives of Hochelaga (now Montreal) had peas growing in 1535, and in 1613, French traders obtained peas grown by the Ottowa River from the native tribes. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado mentions "small white peas" in New Mexico in 1540. In 1614, peas were a food staple of the New England native tribes.

Uses

Sugar Ann snap peas adapt effortlessly to various uses that will delight your taste buds and inspire your creativity in the kitchen.

• Fresh from the Garden: There's nothing quite like picking a Sugar Ann pod straight from the bush and savoring its crisp, sweet flavor. The pods are best enjoyed fresh, offering a deliciously satisfying snack.
• Salad Sensation: Add a handful of Sugar Ann snap peas to your salads for a pop of vibrant color, a satisfying crunch, and a touch of natural sweetness. They pair beautifully with a variety of greens, fruits, and cheeses.
• Stir-Fry Star: Sugar Ann snap peas shine in stir-fries, where their quick cooking time ensures they retain their vibrant color and crisp texture. Their sweetness adds a delightful counterpoint to savory sauces and spices.
• Preserved for Later: If you have too many Sugar Ann snap peas, don't worry! You can preserve their sweetness by blanching and freezing them. You can enjoy them throughout the year by adding frozen peas to soups and stews or simply eating them as a frozen treat.

Companion Planting

Beneficial plantings include carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and corn. These plants create a mutually beneficial environment, enhancing growth and deterring pests.

Avoid planting Sugar Ann near onions, garlic, or other Allium family members, as they can inhibit growth. Potatoes are susceptible to similar diseases.

Pest and Disease Management

Aphids, pea weevils, and slugs can occasionally affect Sugar Ann. Organic solutions like insecticidal soap or neem oil can help control these pests.

Powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt are potential concerns. Proper spacing and good air circulation can help prevent these diseases.

Planting and Growing Tips

Spring Planting: Sow your Sugar Ann seeds as soon as the soil becomes workable (usually around 40°F). Peas are cool-season crops, unfazed by a light frost. Remember, you're racing against the clock to mature and produce their sweet bounty before the heat arrives.

Fall Planting: A Second Chance at Sweetness - For those with mild to moderate winters, a fall crop of Sugar Ann peas isn't just a possibility – it might even outshine your spring harvest! 

These peas thrive in soil temperatures between 60° and 65° F, making autumn an ideal time for planting in many regions. In cooler areas, get a head start by planting in late July or early August, ensuring a frost-free harvest window of 2-3 weeks. You can push planting into October or November if your winters are milder. 

The goal is to sow your seeds 8-10 weeks before the first predicted frost, allowing them to establish themselves and produce an abundant late-season harvest before the killing frosts hit. Soaking the seeds overnight before sowing helps them germinate faster and more evenly, giving them a strong start in the cooling soil. And if August is still hot, a shade cloth can protect your young plants.

Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter is the key to happy pea plants. Before planting, amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to boost its nutrient content and improve drainage.

Peas need full sun for most of the day; it encourages growth and improves the sweetness of your Sugar Ann pods.

Consistent soil moisture is crucial for pea plants, especially during flowering and pod development. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water deeply and less frequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Harvest Tips

Harvest your Sugar Ann peas in the cool of the morning. The pods will be crispest and sweetest before the day's heat.

The ideal time to begin harvesting is when the pods are plump and well-filled but still tender to the touch. You'll notice a slight give when you gently squeeze them. Don't wait too long, as overripe pods can become tough and lose sweetness. Typically, this occurs around 52-70 days after planting, but keep a close eye on your plants as maturity can vary depending on growing conditions.

The key to continuous production is regular harvesting. Pick your Sugar Ann snap peas every few days, encouraging the plants to produce new pods. Stop harvesting when the pods become tough, and the peas inside develop a starchy flavor.

The best way to determine if your Sugar Ann snap peas are ready to pick is to taste them! Sample a few pods as they begin filling out, and you'll quickly get a sense of when they're at their peak flavor and tenderness.

Learn More

• The History of Heirloom Peas
• Heirloom Peas: Sugar, Snap and Snow

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