When to plant peas in Minnesota
Minnesota’s average last spring frost is May 6, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 28 — about 145 frost-free days (USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Minnesota's growing season.
When to plant peas in Minnesota: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 27 – Apr 15. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Minnesota: Apr 13 · Apr 25 · May 7 · May 19 · May 31
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 Minnesota, 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 27 – Apr 15). 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 Minnesota.
- 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 26 – Jun 10). 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 Minnesota’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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
Questions gardeners in Minnesota ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Minnesota?
Sow peas in Minnesota between March 27 and April 15. That timing is set by Minnesota's average last spring frost of May 6.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Minnesota?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 10 and July 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Minnesota's first frost around September 28.
When will peas planted in Minnesota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 26 to June 10, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
On average around May 6, with the first fall frost around September 28 - about 145 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.