When to plant peas in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant peas in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 26 – Apr 14. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: Apr 12 · Apr 24 · May 6 · May 18 · May 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 West Virginia, 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 26 – Apr 14). 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 West Virginia.
- 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 25 – Jun 9). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 14 |
| New Jersey | 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 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant peas in West Virginia?
Sow peas in West Virginia between March 26 and April 14. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
Can I plant peas in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 17 and August 3, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will peas planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 25 to June 9, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.