I started my sugar snap peas from seed in late April. In retrospect, I should've gotten them into the ground a few weeks earlier. I purchased Super Sugar Snap Pea. The package brags that it is heat tolerant and matures in 65 days. I started them indoors in little 2 inch peat cups. I placed 2 seeds per cup. I saw at the nursery that they always put two plants per container when they sell them. I'm not sure why but I figured it was okay if I did it. I really had no confidence in this plant. A few years ago I bought some transplants and planted them. They grew about 8 inches and died. They never produced so I figured I must've done something wrong. Now after a little more experience, I realize that I bought the transplant in June! It was way too late in the season to plant a cool weather crop. Peas like to grow best in temps under 70 degrees.
When the pea shoots were a few inches tall I transplanted them outside. I didn't realize that these are truly a tender vine and grows pretty tall. My first mistake was assuming that they didn't need stakes. Then I went a bought 3 ft bamboo stakes after I realized they needed support. They quickly traversed the 3ft stakes so I changed them out to 4 ft stakes. About 3 days ago, I saw the first flower on the vines. They are rapidly making flowers all over the place. I quickly googled how long it would take after seeing flowers to be able to pick the peas. The answer was only 7-10 days. That's mind blowing to me how rapidly the pod is created and grows.
What I learned this season is that I will plant these a few weeks sooner because they can handle the cold April temps. I will also sow pea seeds every 2 weeks for a month afterwards in order to have a steady harvest of peas. Since the average last frost in Colorado is October 10th, I can start peas indoors or in a partial shade area in July and harvest them in late September.
I have seen a trellis design on Pinterest using two old bicycle wheels and string. I think I will make something like that next time.