When to plant peas in New Jersey
New Jersey’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season.
When to plant peas in New Jersey: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 11 – Mar 30. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in New Jersey: Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 21 · May 3 · May 15
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 Jersey, 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 11 – Mar 30). 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 Jersey.
- 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 10 – May 25). 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 Jersey’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Jersey (this page) | 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 |
| 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 New Jersey ask
When is the best time to plant peas in New Jersey?
Sow peas in New Jersey between March 11 and March 30. That timing is set by New Jersey's average last spring frost of April 20.
Can I plant peas in the fall in New Jersey?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 27 and August 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Jersey's first frost around October 15.
When will peas planted in New Jersey be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 10 to May 25, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.