When to plant peas in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s average last spring frost is May 13, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 135 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Hampshire's growing season.
When to plant peas in New Hampshire: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 3 – Apr 22. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in New Hampshire: Apr 20 · May 2 · May 14 · May 26 · Jun 7
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 New Hampshire, 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 (Apr 3 – Apr 22). 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 New Hampshire.
- 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 Jun 2 – Jun 17). 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 New Hampshire’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire (this page) | May 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| Maine | May 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Mar 15 – Apr 3 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Mar 16 – Apr 4 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Mar 16 – Apr 4 |
| New York | May 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
Questions gardeners in New Hampshire ask
When is the best time to plant peas in New Hampshire?
Sow peas in New Hampshire between April 3 and April 22. That timing is set by New Hampshire's average last spring frost of May 13.
Can I plant peas in the fall in New Hampshire?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 7 and July 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Hampshire's first frost around September 25.
When will peas planted in New Hampshire be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about June 2 to June 17, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Hampshire?
On average around May 13, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 135 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.