When to plant peas in Arizona
Arizona’s average last spring frost is March 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 245 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arizona's growing season.
Arizona 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 Arizona: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 3 – Feb 22. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Arizona: Feb 20 · Mar 4 · Mar 16 · Mar 28 · Apr 9
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 Arizona, 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 3 – Feb 22). 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 Arizona.
- 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 4 – Apr 19). 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 Arizona’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. 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 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 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | - | Jan 11 – Jan 30 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | - | Dec 21 – Jan 9 |
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (this page) | March 15 | Feb 3 – Feb 22 |
| New Mexico | April 20 | Mar 11 – Mar 30 |
Questions gardeners in Arizona ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Arizona?
Sow peas in Arizona between February 3 and February 22. That timing is set by Arizona's average last spring frost of March 15; Arizona spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Arizona?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 27 and September 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arizona's first frost around November 15.
When will peas planted in Arizona be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 4 to April 19, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arizona?
On average around March 15, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 245 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.