Okay, here's a reason for starting at the bottom of the threads and working my way up, instead of the other way around, LOL. I hadn't seen this earlier post on peas, but it's very interesting. Just to mention, I don't have luck with Burpee either. I'm now getting all my seeds from Johnny's because they out-perform the others so significantly. In any event, I appreciate the info on peas. I planted "Caselode" and am thinking maybe I'll try some different varieties and see what works best in my area. My problem with yield may also be that I let the peas get too big before picking? Or maybe my expectations are just off. I planted two 8' rows of them in the early spring. Seeds were planted about 2" apart and the rows were about 3" apart on either side of a trellis. Out of all that, I really only got one meal for a family of 4. Granted, I pulled the plants after I picked the first batch because they were already yellowing and I didn't see loads of new peas sprouting. Maybe I didn't give them a chance to give me more? How many shell peas does one really need to plant to get lots and lots of peas? My family loves them and would eat them every night, but instead, I'm giving them pole beans and zucchini. LOL

At one time you could get this from Shepherd's Seeds but the business has since closed. Here is a link to Renee's Garden Seeds and their equivalency to Shepherd's Seeds. http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/packpg/veg/pea-sugarsnap-p.htm Park Seed Equivalency: http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/5231/ Burpee Equivalency: http://www.burpee.com/product/vegetables/peas/snap+or+edible+podded+peas/snap+pea+super+sugar+snap+v.p.+-+1+pkt.+(200+seeds).do That is all I was able to dig up. Hope this helps a little anyway!

It was disappointing to see so few plants emerge from 4 oz. pre-germinated Sugar Snap seeds, so I'm on the hunt for better planting methods. Reading on GW about Lathyrus (not edible but fragrant and excellent for cut flowers), I came across this advice from a breeder: **Plant the pea seeds in pots, cover w/mouse-proof screen. Let the pea plants (Lathyrus) grow large enough that the seeds no longer attract mice. Very gingerly transplant lathyrus into the ground.** Though peas (and Lathyrus) resent being transplanted, I'm considering the transplanting approach next year, because the Sugar Snaps were so outrageously delicious, and I want a huge forest of them. === Lately, I planted field peas for winter cover. Covered the bed with some sort of black landscape plastic (it allows water to penetrate). Every pea seed that was exposed on the ground (and not under cover) was gone within a week. Peeking under the covers, the now-germinated peas were left alone by marauders. Though the covers are not mouse proof by any means, they did help in protecting the peas against predation. Also noted that temps under the covers were higher than ambient temps. The plastic covers are held down with re-bars, which prevent air from entering under the covers. I don't know if the covers will protect the germinated pea seeds long-term. I planted very late in the season, and we now have snow and frost, so the peas may not grow into plants any time soon, if at all. But hej, the covers taught me an option with planting Sugar Snaps come spring. Will also note that a generous amount of manure spread on the beds in the fall will increase pea yields considerably. Hope this gives ideas for others to build on.....

Yes, plant thick. I have a few varieties that always do well and trying a couple more this year. Sugar Ann and classic Sugar Snap do well for me. I plant, direct seed, my first double row as soon as i can work the soil, then again the next 2-3 weekends, a week apart-ish. (wet rough weather will sometimes keep me out of the garden). If i relied on just one of those plantings i may not see one pea. Seeds are cheap and the harvest can be buckets full. Once the weather warms, in go my pole beans right behind the peas, in, again, a three week planting, but way less thick. As they are getting a footing, the peas start to brown and crisp and pull out with ease. Planting a few varieties, (i go overboard with 15-20), will give lots of peas and beans as they have different growth times. Early on i had given up on peas for a few years thinking i had the wrong climate but now that i 'insurance' plant i get enough to give plenty away. I get all my peas from Johnny's. And a random pack here and there if i can't help myself from the nursery racks...those racks seem to have a 'buy me' magnet. I try not to look...