When to plant peas in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant peas in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 22 – Mar 13. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Arkansas: Mar 11 · Mar 23 · Apr 4 · Apr 16 · Apr 28
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 Arkansas, 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 (Feb 22 – Mar 13). 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 Arkansas.
- 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 Apr 23 – May 8). 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 Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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.
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Jan 24 – Feb 12 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Arkansas?
Sow peas in Arkansas between February 22 and March 13. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Arkansas?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 13 and August 30, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arkansas's first frost around November 1.
When will peas planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 23 to May 8, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.