When to plant peas
Peas are one of the first crops of the year. Sow them outside four to eight weeks before the last frost, as soon as the soil can be worked and has reached about 40°F. Seedlings shrug off frosts and snow; heat above about 80°F ends the harvest.
Getting peas in early matters because they must finish flowering before summer heat. The old saying is to sow peas on St Patrick’s Day in much of the US.
PeaPisum sativum
- Sow seed outside
- 4–8 weeks before last frost
- Sow for a fall crop
- 8–10 weeks before first fall frost
- Frost
- Hardy: tolerates frost
- Soil temp
- 40°F (4°C) or warmer
- Depth
- 1 in
- Spacing
- 2 in apart, rows 18 in · 8 per square foot
- Harvest
- 55–70 days
Your dates for peas
Tips for growing peas
- Put up netting or a trellis at sowing time; most varieties climb 2–6 feet.
- Pick sugar snaps when the pods are plump; snow peas while pods are flat.
- Cut plants at soil level after harvest and leave the roots in the ground.
Choosing neighbours? See companion plants for peas. Working out how many fit? Use the spacing calculator.
Peas: common timing questions
How cold can peas tolerate?
Seedlings tolerate frosts into the mid-20s °F. Flowers and pods are more sensitive to hard freezes.
Can I plant peas in summer?
Sow a fall crop about 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost; plants often do better if sown in partial shade during heat.