When to plant peas in North Carolina
North Carolina’s average last spring frost is April 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 203 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within North Carolina's growing season.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 24 – Mar 15. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in North Carolina: Mar 13 · Mar 25 · Apr 6 · Apr 18 · Apr 30
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 North Carolina, 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 24 – Mar 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 North Carolina.
- 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 25 – May 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 North Carolina’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this page) | April 5 | Feb 24 – Mar 15 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
Questions gardeners in North Carolina ask
When is the best time to plant peas in North Carolina?
Sow peas in North Carolina between February 24 and March 15. That timing is set by North Carolina's average last spring frost of April 5; North Carolina spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant peas in the fall in North Carolina?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before North Carolina's first frost around October 25.
When will peas planted in North Carolina be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 25 to May 10, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
On average around April 5, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 203 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.