Neighbour Nevil planted these Sugar Ann sugar snap peas about 12 weeks ago in an old suitcase. They’re self-supporting (canes used only to deter cats and foxes), growing to about 18 inches, and have been happily shooting upwards and outwards, with little need for attention, during these last few rainy months.
You get a smaller crop from self-supporting peas, but still a decent haul and eaten whole, the pod is deliciously sweet and crunchy (and well worth growing in containers and planters). The packet says you can plant again in early autumn for overwintering in a tunnel or greenhouse, but I might just see how they do outside in our inner city climate.
p.s. Seeds were bought from Sea spring seeds
Out of my shed 
I am SO envious and have put them in the diary for next year. Where are the London pigeons or don’t they nick peas?
That’s a good point. We do have plenty of pigeons, but strangely, they have no appetite for these tasty treats. I think they find bird feeders easier pickings.
I’ve grown tall sugar snaps for the last couple of years and love them but this year I’ve gone for a smaller variety, can’t remember the name at the moment but I should be able to pick some today on my visit to the plot. They’re difficult to come by in the shops so there’s that added sense of satisfaction when you’ve grown them yourself. Loving the smiley face suitcase planter!
Hi WW, yes they’re bloomin’ delicious and definitely going to grow some for myself in autumn as an experiment and next spring too. Also brought some dwarf peas ‘Pisello Nano’ to try out with sugar snaps plantings. Hadn’t realised smiley suitcase-delighted with its crop no doubt!
Love the idea of using an old suitcase! In open countryside here late autumn sowing will not be a good idea. So next spring then!
Hi Bridget (and Laila?), Discarded suitcases are great planters for concreted front gardens and the depth on the big old ones is nice and generous too. Peas outside in the country may not survive, but worth trying in a greenhouse if you have one?
Love the idea of planting peas in a suitcase! I am growing T&M ‘Shiraz’ mnagetout this year and have eaten virtually all of them straight off the plants.
Interesting point about pigeons, Sue – I have a huge pigeon population in my garden and they LOVE beetroot leaves but don’t touch the peas …
Hi Jane, Shiraz mangetout look beautifully decorative. Love those dark pods. It says on the T&M website that you can sow until July, so I might have a go at sowing some now. Worth trying!
I agree-they’re so delicious eaten straight from the plant. I’m finding it difficult to resist stealing a pod or two of Nevil’s sugar snaps every time I walk by his front garden.
Gives more meaning to I’l tasks that to go. People I grew sugar snaps as a kid when they first came out. They were all the rage and dipping in ranch salad dressing was everywhere.
Hi Patrick, yes sugar snaps great for kids and adults alike. I don’t think mine will ever get near a salad dressing though because as Jane said above, they’re so delicious, most will probably get eaten straight from the plant!
I really loke Sugar Ann for ease of growing and flavour. But I find they grow higher than this!
Hi Diana-interesting. Do you grow your peas in a container or in the soil?
I grow them in the soil (actually a very high raised bed) up an old clothes airer!
Hi Diana, Sounds like they have good rich soil in your raised bed, so maybe that’s why they grow taller? Will be trying them out in a raised bed next year too, so good to know they’ll probably be taller than in Nevil’s suitcase. Like the sound of a clothes airer too. Perfect for the job!
Fairly rich yes, I add compost most years.