When to plant peas in Delaware
Delaware’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 22 — about 191 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Delaware's growing season.
When to plant peas in Delaware: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 5 – Mar 24. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Delaware: Mar 22 · Apr 3 · Apr 15 · Apr 27 · May 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 Delaware, 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 5 – Mar 24). 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 Delaware.
- 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 May 4 – May 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 Delaware’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware (this page) | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 11 – Mar 30 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 5 – Mar 24 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 14 |
Questions gardeners in Delaware ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Delaware?
Sow peas in Delaware between March 5 and March 24. That timing is set by Delaware's average last spring frost of April 14.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Delaware?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 3 and August 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before Delaware's first frost around October 22.
When will peas planted in Delaware be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 4 to May 19, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Delaware?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 22 - about 191 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.