- Loading…
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Plant out
- Plant
- Fall crop
- Today
Historical frost averages plus extension guidance, not a forecast. Check the forecast and soil temperature before planting.
Sow peas outside 3–6 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall crop, sow 12–14 weeks before your first fall frost. Peas like cool weather and handle frost, but stop producing once summer heat arrives.
- Frost tolerance
- Hardy: takes frost
- Soil temperature
- Sows at 40–75°F (min 40°F)
- Days to harvest
- 55–70 days from seed
The rule we use
- Sow outdoors: 3–6 weeks before the last spring frost
- Sow for fall: 12–14 weeks before the first fall frost
Sow peas early
Peas are one of the first crops of spring. They germinate in soil as cool as 40°F and seedlings survive frost. The aim is to get them flowering and podding before hot weather, which ends the harvest.
Sow seeds 1–2 inches deep and about 2 inches apart, in double rows if you like. Wait if the soil is waterlogged: seeds rot in cold, soggy ground. A raised bed dries out sooner.
Supports and inoculant
Most peas climb with tendrils. Tall types need a trellis or netting 5–6 feet high; dwarf types still crop better with a short fence to lean on. Put supports in at sowing time so you don't damage roots later.
Peas fix nitrogen with the help of soil bacteria. In beds where peas or beans haven't grown before, dusting seed with a pea and bean inoculant can help the plants. They seldom need extra nitrogen fertilizer.
Fall peas
Fall peas are worth a try where autumn is long and mild. Sow 12–14 weeks before your first fall frost. Summer heat can make germination patchy, so keep the soil moist and shaded until they're up.
Pick snap and snow peas often, and shell peas when pods are plump but still bright green. Regular picking keeps the vines producing.
Seeds and supplies for peas
- Pea seeds at True Leaf Market
- Park Seed for seeds and young plants.
- Pea and bean inoculant for beds new to peas.
- Trellis netting for climbing varieties.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We don't take payment for placement.
Questions about planting peas
How early can I plant peas?
About 3–6 weeks before your last spring frost, once the soil is no longer frozen or soggy. Enter your ZIP above for your dates.
Will frost kill pea seedlings?
Usually not. Pea seedlings handle frost well. A hard freeze in the low 20s can damage them, so cover them if one is forecast.
Is it too late to plant peas?
Peas sown in late spring often run into heat before they crop. If it's already warm, wait and sow a fall crop instead.
Sources
- Vegetable Planting Calendar for Central Maryland (2026), University of Maryland Extension
- Vegetables for Spring and Fall Planting; Vegetables for Summer Planting, University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners
- Suggested Vegetable Planting Dates for Utah, Utah State University Extension
- Vegetable Planting Guide (CMG GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension
- Soil temperature conditions for vegetable seed germination, Oregon State University Extension
- Frost dates: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (doi:10.25921/4ek7-fk11)