How do I know when pea pods are ready to pick?

[someone_random]

I read online that it's when they're "full" but tbh idk what that really means. I'm currently letting them grow to see when they max out, but idk if there are any other tell-tale signs of them being ready? Here's a pic:

I ate one when it was not fully grown yet and it was still good.

 

[Ruderunner]

Variety makes a difference. Those look like sweet peas, edible at just about any stage. We like ours about that size.

Others will grow to look more like green beans and usually those need shelled and throw away the husk.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

That looks like it still has a little way to go, picking the odd one is as good a way as any to learn what they look like when the peas make the right size, and as yoiu say they taste good. If it doesn't taste good and is 'floury' you know you left that one too long.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Those look like sweet peas, edible at just about any stage

Sweet peas to me are grown for flowers, and the peas are not edible, I think you mean what I would call Mangetout, the sort one eats pod as well, I had assumed garden peas that you shuck.

 

[ThatsMyPurseIDontKnowYou]

Are those sugar snap peas?

If so, you can pick them whenever. If you let them get too big they get kinda woody and not as sweet.

What you have pictured is perfect eating size and right where I harvest mine.

 

[nao57]

If you wait too long on peas, then the pods will start to turn yellow and dry out. It also helps to know when to pick them if the soil isn't barren, and not fertile; which means if the soil isn't good then the pods can't grow to swell out as well. And that makes it harder to tell ready to eat big full pods from emaciated pods.