Peas are one of the first crops to sow in spring, and fresh peas eaten straight from the vine are a real treat. They are cool-season legumes that grow best before summer heat sets in. There are three main types: shelling peas, which you pod; snap peas, eaten pod and all once plump; and snow peas, with flat edible pods. This page covers when to sow, how to support them, how to care for them and when to pick.
Peas at a glance
| Type | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Season | Cool-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 2 in |
| Row spacing | 24 in |
| Per square foot | 8 |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Days to maturity | 55–70 from seed |
| How to start | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant peas
Peas tolerate frost and germinate in soil as cool as 40°F. Sow directly outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked and is not waterlogged. Peas stop producing once temperatures reach the 80s°F, so early sowing matters. In many areas, you can sow again in late summer for a fall crop, about 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost.
Find your dates with the frost dates by ZIP code tool and the planting calendar.
How to plant peas
- Choose full sun. Peas tolerate a little shade, but crop best with 6 or more hours of sun.
- Put up support first. Most varieties climb by tendrils and need a trellis, netting or twiggy branches 3 to 6 feet tall; check the packet. Dwarf varieties need little or no support. The trellis post and wire calculator lists materials.
- Sow 1 inch deep. Sow seeds along both sides of the support at the spacing in the table above. Soaking seeds for a few hours speeds germination.
- Consider an inoculant. Coating seeds with a pea and bean inoculant can improve growth where peas have not grown before.
Caring for peas
Keep the soil evenly moist, about an inch of water a week, and especially while plants flower and pods fill. Mulch keeps roots cool as days warm. The garden watering calculator turns this into gallons.
Peas make their own nitrogen with the help of soil bacteria, so they need little fertilizer; too much nitrogen gives leafy vines with few pods. Guide young vines onto the support. Protect seedlings from birds and rabbits with netting if needed.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, corn, turnips |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks (said to slow pea growth) |
Lettuce, spinach and radishes share the same early timing and fit at the base of the trellis. Peas add nitrogen to the soil for the crops that follow. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds rot or fail to sprout | Few seedlings in cold, wet soil | Wait until the soil is workable and not soggy, or start in raised beds that drain and warm faster. |
| Powdery mildew | White, dusty coating on leaves, usually as weather warms | Grow resistant varieties, give vines airflow and sow early. Pull vines once production stops. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small green insects on tips and pods | Spray off with water and encourage ladybugs. See the pest identifier. |
| Birds and rabbits | Seedlings nipped off at the base | Cover new sowings with netting or row cover. |
| Plants stop producing | Vines yellow and flowering stops in early summer | Heat. Sow as early as possible, mulch to keep roots cool and grow a fall crop. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Pick each type at its peak. Shelling peas are ready when the pods are plump and bright green, before they turn dull or waxy. Snap peas are ready when the pods are round and crisp with peas inside, and snow peas when the pods are full size but still flat, before the peas swell.
Pick every day or two once harvest starts; leaving pods to mature slows the plant down. Hold the vine with one hand and pull pods off with the other so you do not damage it. Peas are sweetest eaten or chilled right after picking, because their sugar quickly turns to starch. Use the harvest date calculator to plan.
Plan your peas
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant peas?
Space peas 2 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 8 per square foot.
How deep do I plant pea seeds?
Sow seeds 1 inch deep. Soak seeds for a few hours before sowing to speed germination.
How long do peas take to grow?
Most varieties are ready 55–70 days from seed. Check the seed packet, because early and late varieties differ.
How much water do peas need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Water is most important while plants flower and pods fill.
When should I plant peas?
Sow peas 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked. They stop producing in hot weather, so early sowing gives the best crop.
Do peas need a trellis?
Most varieties climb and do best on a trellis or netting 3 to 6 feet tall. Dwarf varieties need little or no support.