When to Plant Peas in My Zone? A Simple Calendar and Step-by-Step Guide

January 3, 2026 Austin Jones Peas

Introduction: When to Plant Peas in My Zone, and Why It Matters

Peas are forgiving, but timing decides whether you harvest a few pods or a bowlful. Planting peas at the right time avoids frost kills in cold zones and bolting in warm zones, and it reduces pests while boosting yield.

If you ask when to plant peas in my zone? sow when soil is cool but workable, about four to six weeks before last spring frost, or in mild climates sow in fall for a winter crop. Below you get a simple calendar, soil temperature targets, and a step-by-step plan for any USDA hardiness zone.

Pea Basics, and Why Planting Time Changes Everything

Peas are a cool season crop that actually prefer cold soil and crisp air. They germinate in soil as cool as about 40°F, though germination is faster and more reliable between 50°F and 65°F. Young plants tolerate light frost, and established vines can survive brief dips near the low 20s°F, but frost damage is possible during flowering and pod set.

Soil temperature drives everything. If your soil is slimy and 38°F, expect slow, patchy emergence. If it is flinty and 55°F, seeds pop up in a week. Quick, practical tip, if your soil runs cold soak seeds 8 to 12 hours before sowing to speed germination. Use inoculant on seed once every few years to keep nitrogen fixation strong, especially in new beds.

Variety choice changes timing. Early maturing types like Little Marvel or Oregon Sugar Pod can be planted earlier than maincrop varieties that need more cool weather to form full pods. So when to plant peas in my zone? Count back from your last spring frost, sowing about four weeks before for spring crops. In warm zones, aim for late winter or plant a fall crop about ten weeks before your first autumn frost.

Find Your Zone and Your Last Frost Date, Fast

Start with two quick steps. First, find your USDA zone. Go to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map or type your ZIP into the USDA lookup, or use a gardening app. Example, ZIP 97201 returns zone 8b, which tells you winter lows and suitable varieties. Second, get reliable frost dates. Use NOAA or weather.gov climate data for your city, or the Old Farmer’s Almanac frost date tool, and check your county Cooperative Extension for local reports. Look for the 50 percent last frost date and the 50 percent first frost date, that is the standard gardeners use. If you still want local accuracy, ask a nearby master gardener group or check a local weather station. With zone plus last frost date you can answer when to plant peas in my zone? and plan sowing accordingly.

Turn Frost Dates into Exact Planting Dates for Peas

Start with your zone’s last frost date and first frost date. Look them up on a local extension site or a frost date map. If you searched for when to plant peas in my zone, those two dates are your anchor points.

For spring peas use this rule, sow 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, but only after the soil reaches about 40°F, ideally 45 to 65°F (4 to 18°C). That means check soil with a thermometer, and only plant when it is consistently thawed and workable. Example, if last frost is April 15, sow between March 4 and March 18, provided soil is at least 40°F.

For fall peas calculate from the first frost. Take the variety days to maturity, add 7 to 14 days for pod filling and harvest, then count backwards from your first frost. Example, a 60 day variety and a first frost of October 15 means sow around August 15 to allow full development.

Tip for continuous harvest, sow small batches every 10 to 14 days in spring and again in late summer for fall peas. Keep a soil thermometer and maturity chart handy, they remove guesswork.

Planting Schedule by Zone, with Exact Date Ranges

Answering when to plant peas in my zone? Below are practical windows you can drop into your calendar, for both spring and fall sowing. These assume a Northern Hemisphere garden; adjust by a week or two for microclimates.

Zones 2 to 3: Spring sowing, May 1 to June 15. Soil often stays cold longer here, so plant as soon as the soil can be worked, even if there is a late frost. Fall sowing is usually not recommended, unless you have a protected, snow-free microclimate.

Zones 4 to 5: Spring sowing, April 10 to May 25. Example: if your last frost is May 20, aim to sow April 10 to May 20. Fall sowing, August 20 to September 10, for harvest before the first hard frost.

Zones 6 to 7: Spring sowing, March 20 to April 30. Example: zone 6 with a typical April 15 last frost, sow from March 15 to April 15. Fall sowing, September 1 to October 1, gives a cool-season fall crop.

Zones 8 to 9: Spring sowing, February 15 to March 31. Example: in zone 9 coastal areas, you can plant as early as late February. Fall sowing, September 1 to October 20, often produces the best flavor.

Zones 10 to 11: Spring sowing, January 15 to March 1. Fall sowing, October 15 to December 1, for winter production in mild climates.

Tip: always check your local last frost date and soil temperature. Aim to sow peas about four to six weeks before last frost for spring, and six to eight weeks before first fall frost for fall crops.

Step-by-Step Planting and Early Care Checklist

Before you ask when to plant peas in my zone? use this day-of planting checklist to get things right.

  • Prepare soil, loosen to 6 inches, remove stones and large clods; work in 1 to 2 inches of compost for steady moisture and nutrients.
  • Test pH, aim for 6.0 to 7.5; correct with lime or sulfur at least a week before planting if needed.
  • Plant depth and spacing, sow seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep, 2 inches apart for snap peas, 3 inches apart for shelling types; rows 18 to 24 inches apart.
  • Install trellis at planting, place stakes or netting so roots are not disturbed later; use 4 to 6 foot support for vining varieties, 3 foot for semi-leafless types.
  • Watering, give a deep soak after planting, then keep soil evenly moist for the first 2 weeks; aim for about 1 inch of water per week.
  • Mulch with 1 to 2 inches of straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Succession sowing, plant another small batch every 10 to 14 days for 4 to 6 weeks for a steady harvest depending on your zone.

Troubleshooting Common Problems, and When to Harvest

If seeds fail to sprout, first check depth and moisture. Peas need about 1 to 1.5 inches of soil and consistent moisture; pre-soak seeds for 8 to 12 hours and cover with a light layer of compost if soil is cold. For bolting when temperatures rise, add afternoon shade, mulch to keep roots cool, or plant a fall crop timed by your zone; choosing heat-tolerant varieties also helps. For pests and disease, spray aphids off with a strong hose, use insecticidal soap, rotate crops, and pull plants with root rot or powdery mildew to stop spread. Harvest when pods are plump and peas are round, or taste a sample; snap peas should be crisp and full.

Conclusion: Quick Cheat Sheet and Final Tips

Save this cheat sheet, follow it, and you will know exactly when to plant peas in my zone. Quick actions: find your last frost date, count back 4 to 6 weeks for spring peas, or count forward from mid-summer and sow 8 to 10 weeks before first fall frost for a fall crop. Soil should be at least 40°F, ideally 55 to 65°F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart; inoculate seeds if your soil is new to peas; trellis vining varieties. Example: Zone 5, last frost May 15, sow April 3 to April 17. Final tip, start small, learn fast, and plant today.