When to plant peas in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant peas in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 1 – Mar 20. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in District of Columbia: Mar 18 · Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 5
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 District of Columbia, 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 (Mar 1 – Mar 20). 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 District of Columbia.
- 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 30 – May 15). 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 District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 11 – Mar 30 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 14 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant peas in District of Columbia?
Sow peas in District of Columbia between March 1 and March 20. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant peas in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will peas planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 30 to May 15, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.