Snowbird
Pisum sativum var. saccharatum 'Snowbird'
A beautiful snow pea variety with pure white flowers that develop into tender, flat pods perfect for stir-fries and fresh eating. This compact climbing variety is not only productive but also ornamental, making it perfect for edible landscapes or gardeners who want both beauty and bounty. Snowbird's crisp texture and sweet flavor make it a favorite for Asian cuisine and fresh snacking.
Harvest
60-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Snowbird in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 pea →Zone Map
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Snowbird · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start preparing your Snowbird pea bed in late winter by working 2-3 inches of compost into the top 8 inches of soil. These vigorous climbers thrive in slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.0), so add lime if your soil test shows acidity. Choose a spot with morning sun and afternoon protection in zones 8-9, or full sun in cooler regions.
Direct sow Snowbird seeds 2-4 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. In zones 3-6, this typically falls in early to mid-March. Plant seeds 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart in double rows spaced 6 inches apart. Soak seeds overnight in lukewarm water to speed germination, but avoid soaking cracked or damaged seeds as they'll rot.
Install your support structure before planting—Snowbird reaches 5-6 feet tall and needs sturdy trellising. Use 6-foot stakes with horizontal wires every 18 inches, or install a mesh trellis. The white flowers are heavy when wet, so ensure your structure can handle wind load.
Fertilize sparingly with Snowbird peas. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting, then switch to low-nitrogen fertilizer once flowering begins—too much nitrogen reduces pod production. Side-dress with compost when plants reach 12 inches tall.
Water consistently but avoid overhead watering once flowering starts, as wet flowers can lead to poor pod set. Mulch around plants with 2 inches of straw to maintain soil moisture and prevent root rot. In hot climates, afternoon shade cloth extends the harvest season.
Avoid common mistakes: don't transplant Snowbird (peas hate root disturbance), don't work wet soil around plants (compacts easily), and don't harvest pods when plants are wet (spreads disease). Train young vines gently onto supports using soft ties—never force them as stems break easily.
For maximum yield, harvest pods daily once production begins. This signals the plant to keep flowering rather than setting seed. In zones 7-9, make a second planting 4-6 weeks after the first for fall harvest.
Harvesting
Harvest Snowbird pods 60-65 days from planting when they're flat, bright green, and 3-4 inches long. The pods should feel crisp and snap easily when bent—if they're limp or the peas inside are bulging, you've waited too long for optimal snow pea quality. Test readiness by gently bending a pod; it should break cleanly without strings.
Harvest in the cool morning hours when pods are fully hydrated and crisp. Hold the vine steady with one hand and pinch the stem just above the pod with your thumbnail and forefinger. Never pull pods directly as this can damage the plant and reduce future production.
Check plants daily once harvest begins—Snowbird produces continuously for 3-4 weeks when picked regularly. Pods can go from perfect to overmature in just 2-3 days in warm weather. The pure white flowers that give Snowbird its name will continue appearing as long as you keep harvesting. Stop picking to let pods mature if you want to save seeds for next season.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Snowbird pods maintain peak quality for 5-7 days when stored in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper at 32-40°F with high humidity. Don't wash pods before storing—moisture accelerates decay. For best texture, use within 3 days of harvest.
Freeze Snowbird pods by blanching in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunging into ice water. Drain thoroughly and package in freezer bags—frozen pods maintain quality for 8 months and work perfectly in stir-fries. Unlike shelling peas, snow peas don't require special freezing techniques since you eat the entire pod.
Dehydrate pods at 125°F for 8-10 hours until crisp for winter soups and stews. Pickled snow pea pods make an excellent garnish—pack blanched pods in rice vinegar with ginger and garlic. Properly canned pickled pods keep for up to one year and maintain their crunch better than most vegetables.
History & Origin
Snowbird represents a relatively recent development in snow pea breeding, created specifically for ornamental edible gardens in the late 1990s. Traditional Asian snow pea varieties typically produce purple or pink flowers, but Snowbird was bred to combine the classic flat-podded snow pea characteristics with pure white blooms that wouldn't clash with formal garden designs.
This hybrid variety emerged from breeding programs focused on dual-purpose vegetables—crops that could serve both culinary and ornamental functions as interest in edible landscaping grew in North American suburbs. The developers selected for compact growth habit, extended flowering period, and disease resistance while maintaining the crisp texture and sweet flavor essential for Asian cuisine.
Snowbird's creation reflects the broader trend toward 'beautiful food gardens' that gained momentum in the 1990s and 2000s. Unlike heritage varieties developed purely for production, modern hybrids like Snowbird acknowledge that many home gardeners want vegetables that enhance rather than detract from their landscape design. The white flowers also made it popular among gardeners creating moon gardens or white-themed plantings.
Advantages
- +Pure white flowers provide exceptional ornamental value while producing edible pods
- +Compact 5-6 foot height fits smaller gardens better than traditional 8-foot varieties
- +Strong resistance to pea enation mosaic virus prevents the leaf curling that destroys harvests
- +Pods maintain crisp texture longer than most snow peas, giving 5-7 day harvest window
- +Continuous flowering for 3-4 weeks with daily harvesting extends season significantly
- +Excellent performance in partial shade allows growing in spots too dim for other peas
- +Pods freeze exceptionally well without blanching, maintaining crunch in stir-fries
Considerations
- -Hybrid variety means you cannot save seeds for next year's planting
- -White flowers show dirt and pollen stains more readily than colored blooms
- -Higher seed cost compared to open-pollinated snow pea varieties
- -Requires sturdy staking due to heavy flower and pod load on compact frame
- -More susceptible to aphid damage on tender growing tips than tougher heirloom varieties
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Peas add nitrogen to soil that carrots need, carrots help break up soil for pea roots
Lettuce
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by peas, provides ground cover and shade for pea roots
Spinach
Utilizes nitrogen from peas, shallow roots don't compete with pea root system
Radishes
Quick harvest before peas need space, helps loosen soil and may deter pea root maggots
Mint
Repels ants and rodents that may eat pea seeds, deters aphids and flea beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that attack peas
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that can damage pea plants
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, climbing varieties provide companion support
Keep Apart
Onions
May inhibit pea growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Can stunt pea growth and interfere with beneficial rhizobia bacteria on pea roots
Gladiolus
Competes heavily for nutrients and may harbor thrips that damage pea pods
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170419)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to pea enation mosaic virus and powdery mildew
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pea weevils
Diseases
Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot