When to plant peas in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant peas in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 7 – Apr 26. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Alaska: Apr 24 · May 6 · May 18 · May 30 · Jun 11
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow peas in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 7 – Apr 26). Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alaska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
- Harvest (from about Jun 6 – Jun 21). Pea takes 55-70 days to reach harvest. 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.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pea dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant pea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | May 6 – May 25 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | Mar 31 – Apr 19 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | Mar 21 – Apr 9 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Feb 24 – Mar 15 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Alaska?
Sow peas in Alaska between April 7 and April 26. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Alaska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 25 and July 12, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alaska's first frost around September 13.
When will peas planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about June 6 to June 21, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.