I don’t know about all of you but I find peas to be incredibly delicious. I put peas in my burritos, quesadillas, rice, salads, and many other savory dishes. They’re versatile, filling, and add a touch of complexity to basic boring dishes.
If you’ve decided to plant peas in your garden but are unsure whether they’ll thrive in your area, keep reading because you’re about to find the answer you’re looking for!
When Is The Best Time To Plant Peas?
Peas are known to be a cool-weather vegetable.
They thrive in lower temperatures and benefit from cold snaps. Ideally, you should be planting them immediately after the last frost before conditions start to warm up.
Spring is often the ideal planting season for peas. It’s when temperatures lean slightly cooler, but the soil is still workable. The soil temperature should at least be 50º to 59ºF (10-15°C) to support optimal pea growth.
Best Time To Plant Peas By State/Zone
Virginia (Zone 6-8)
As I mentioned, peas benefit from spring planting. In Virginia, which falls within zones 6-8, you should be planting peas around early spring, which means April or early May. Keep an eye on the soil after the last frost, and loosen it up as soon as it gets a bit workable to sow your pea seeds.
Oregon (Zones 7–9)
People looking to grow peas in Oregon have the freedom to plant them 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, which makes early March an ideal planting time. They can tolerate a few light frosts and begin establishing in the ground before the summer heat kicks in.
Texas (Zones 6–9)
If you’re in an area of Texas that warms up too quickly, fall planting around late November makes the most sense. You should be sowing the seeds 4-6 before the first fall frost. In Texas, it’s not the cold you need to worry about since peas are quite hardy; it’s the heat that can hinder their growth.
Georgia (Zones 7–9)
Get your pea seeds into the ground anywhere between mid-January and late February in Georgia. You want to limit any chances of frost during the blooming period of peas, so plant them ideally 4-6 weeks before the first fall frost.
Missouri (Zones 5–7)
For all you Missouri folks, try to plant your peas immediately after the last expected frost date in your area. Peas thrive in cool conditions and they need the cold for optimal growth. Early spring should be a good planting time for most Missouri gardeners.
Michigan (Zones 4–6)
For Michigan, which falls between zones 4-6, sowing pea seeds 2-4 weeks before the last spring frost should lead to ideal growth and beneficial results. The soil should be relatively cool around this time 53º to 59ºF (12-15°C) but it’s important that the peas are planted in a sunny location.
Tips For Success When Planting Peas
Final Words
The ideal time for planting peas depends on climate conditions and soil temperature.
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map is only a tool that can be used to determine the approximate ideal planting time but don’t make the mistake of trusting it more than your own gardening experience and knowledge of your local conditions.
