When to plant peas in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California 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 California: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 11 – Jan 30. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in California: Jan 28 · Feb 9 · Feb 21 · Mar 5 · Mar 17
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 California, 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 (Jan 11 – Jan 30). 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 California.
- 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 Mar 12 – Mar 27). 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 California’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 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.
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant peas in California?
Sow peas in California between January 11 and January 30. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant peas in the fall in California?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 12 and September 29, so the crop matures in cool weather before California's first frost around December 1.
When will peas planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about March 12 to March 27, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.