Peas are one of the first vegetables you can plant in spring — and one of the most rewarding. They go in the ground while most gardeners are still watching snow melt, and they reward that early effort with crisp, sweet pods weeks before summer crops are even in the ground.
The key to success is planting at exactly the right time: early enough to mature before summer heat arrives, but not so early that seeds rot in frozen ground. This guide gives you exact dates by zone for both spring and fall plantings.
When to Plant Peas by Zone
Peas germinate in soil as cold as 40°F and seedlings tolerate light frosts. Plant seeds outdoors 4–6 weeks before your last expected spring frost date, as soon as the ground is workable. For a fall crop, count back 10–12 weeks from your first fall frost date.
| USDA Zone | Spring Planting | Fall Planting |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Sep 15 – Sep 30 |
| Zone 10 | Oct 15 – Nov 15 | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Note: In Zone 10, peas are grown as a cool-season winter crop. Plant in late October through November for harvest in December through February.
Spring Planting: Go Early
The golden rule with peas is to plant them as early as the soil can be worked — even if temperatures are still cold. Peas planted in late winter or very early spring (6–8 weeks before last frost) almost always outperform later plantings because they mature while temperatures are still cool.
Pea seeds germinate slowly in cold soil (14–21 days at 40–50°F) but will sprout reliably. Don’t be tempted to wait for warmer weather — you’ll likely miss the ideal harvest window. In zones 5–7, that means planting in February or early March is not unusual.
Fall Planting: Often Underrated
Fall peas are worth growing, especially in zones 5–8. The timing is trickier — you need the plants to mature in cool fall weather but get established before summer heat passes. Count back 10–12 weeks from your first fall frost date, and sow around late July or August.
Germination can be slow or spotty in hot summer soil. Pre-soak seeds overnight and keep the soil consistently moist to improve success rates. Many gardeners shade the seedbed with a board or row cover until germination, then remove it.
Soil Temperature and Germination
Pea seeds germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40°F, though 50–65°F gives you the best and fastest germination. At 40°F expect 2–3 weeks; at 60°F, 1–2 weeks. A simple soil thermometer removes the guesswork.
Do not plant if soil is still frozen or waterlogged. Seeds sitting in soggy, cold soil rot before they can sprout.
Pea Varieties and Days to Maturity
Choosing a variety suited to your season length matters. In short-season zones (3–4), look for early-maturing varieties that reach harvest in 55–65 days. In longer-season zones, you have more flexibility.
- Shelling peas (garden peas): ‘Green Arrow’ (70 days), ‘Lincoln’ (65 days), ‘Little Marvel’ (63 days)
- Snow peas (eat the pod flat): ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’ (60 days), ‘Mammoth Melting Sugar’ (68 days)
- Snap peas (eat pod and pea): ‘Sugar Snap’ (70 days), ‘Super Sugar Snap’ (64 days), ‘Cascadia’ (58 days)
Quick Planting Tips
Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 2–3 inches apart, in rows 18–24 inches apart. Most pea varieties need support — set up a trellis, fence, or pea netting before planting, or use branchy twigs (pea sticks) pushed into the ground for plants to grab. Even short bush varieties produce more pods with some support.
Peas don’t need heavy fertilizing — like beans, they fix nitrogen from the air. Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination, and consider inoculant powder (rhizobium bacteria, available at garden centers) for the best nitrogen fixation, especially if peas haven’t grown in that bed before.
