When to plant peas in Vermont
Vermont’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Vermont's growing season.
When to plant peas in Vermont: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 4 – Apr 23. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Vermont: Apr 21 · May 3 · May 15 · May 27 · Jun 8
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 Vermont, 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 4 – Apr 23). 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 Vermont.
- 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 3 – Jun 18). 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 Vermont’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Vermont
Vermont spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont (this page) | May 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Maine | May 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 22 |
| 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 Vermont ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Vermont?
Sow peas in Vermont between April 4 and April 23. That timing is set by Vermont's average last spring frost of May 14.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Vermont?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 7 and July 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before Vermont's first frost around September 25.
When will peas planted in Vermont be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about June 3 to June 18, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Vermont?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.