How to grow pea
Pisum sativum · Fabaceae · Vegetable
When to plant peas: the short answer
Sow outdoors about 5 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 10 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F, fastest near 65°F.
Cold winters (zone 5): sow Mar 21 – Apr 9, or sow Jul 17 – Aug 3 for a fall crop. Mild winters (zone 9): sow Sep 11 – Sep 28 for fall and winter harvests; the spring window (Jan 11 – Jan 30) closes before the summer heat. Skip the hottest months for peas. See every zone.
Pea is a cool-season vegetable in the Fabaceae family, almost always sown straight into the ground where it will grow. It wants full sun (six or more hours of direct light) and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 55–70 days. It handles frost well and a light freeze often improves the flavour.
Grower’s note: Sow as soon as the soil can be worked - 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Production stops once daytime highs stay above ~80 F.
Sowing
Sow about 1″ deep, into soil between 40–85°F — germination is quickest near 65°F. Germination takes a week or two (7–14 days). It does not transplant well, so sow it in its final position rather than starting it in pots.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 2″ along the row with roughly 18″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 8 per square foot. Allow at least 18″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 10″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
As a cool-season crop, pea does its best growing in the mild weather of spring and fall and tends to bolt or turn bitter in summer heat. A second sowing in late summer, timed to mature as the weather cools, is usually the better crop of the year — and light frost only sweetens it.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long peas take to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 55-70 days (8-10 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 7-14 days in soil around 65°F.
When to plant pea
When to plant peas by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Fall or second sowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | - | Apr 5 – Apr 24 | Jun 27 – Jul 14 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | - | Mar 31 – Apr 19 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | - | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | Jul 17 – Aug 3 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | - | Mar 6 – Mar 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 13 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | - | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | - | Feb 8 – Feb 27 | Aug 17 – Sep 3 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | - | Jan 11 – Jan 30 | Sep 11 – Sep 28 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | - | Dec 21 – Jan 9 | Sep 26 – Oct 13 |
Or browse pea planting dates for every state as static pages.
Companions
Carrot, Cucumber, Radish, Bush Bean, Turnip
Onion, Garlic, Leek
Common problems
Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm.
Diseases & disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
Same family (Fabaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant peas?
Sow outdoors about 5 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 10 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long do peas take to grow?
About 55-70 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days, fastest in soil around 65°F.
How much sun do peas need?
They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day.
What soil pH do peas need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant peas?
Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, or 8 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about 1 inch deep.
Can I grow peas in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 10 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.