Cool-season crop
When to Sow Garden Peas Before the Last Frost
Plan direct-sown peas from a cool spring freeze reference, with spacing, depth, support, maturity, and fall-window cautions.
Reviewed by Garden By ZIP Editorial Review ·
- Spacing
- 1–2 in
- Seed depth
- 1–1 in
- Typical maturity
- 55–70 days
Quick answer
Direct-sow peas about 6–4 weeks before the last spring freeze reference when the soil can be worked. A fall attempt generally needs 10–12 weeks before the first fall freeze reference. Check both in the planting calendar.
Planting methods
Peas are direct-sown. Install trellis support at planting for climbing types so roots are not disturbed later.
Spacing, depth, and maturity
Sow around 1 inch deep and 1–2 inches apart. Common maturity spans roughly 55–70 days, with picking beginning sooner for some snow peas.
Worked local-calendar example
An April 19 last spring freeze reference places the spring range from early to late March. An October 23 first fall freeze reference points to an August fall sowing. Hot establishment weather may make the fall example impractical.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for warm-season planting time.
- Adding support after vines have tangled.
- Assuming every climate has a workable fall pea window.
Limitations
Wet soil, summer heat, cultivar, disease, and day length can narrow the useful period beyond what freeze dates show.