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Growing Peas

(Pisum sativum)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		P	P	P

(Best months for planting Peas in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 5 - 8 cm apart
Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Pick the pods every day to increase production.
Compatible with: Potatoes

Young pea plant

Peas are best grown in cooler seasons. Peas need some support when growing, tree prunings with lots of small twigs are a cheap and handy source. Or else strings between posts or wire netting. the peas need tying in the early stages, until they start producing tendrils and clinging to the support.

Some pea varieties are called 'dwarf' but to make harvesting easier it is a good idea to support the plants.

Pick pea pods while young and pick them often to keep them producing.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Peas

Raw straight from the pod in the garden is best!
Raw in salads.
Steamed lightly.
Small pods can be steamed whole.

Your comments and tips

12 Apr 13, Olivia (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Thank you ! I am planting and loving your help!
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13 Mar 13, Gunther Schwarz (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): What type of soil is required? Fertilizer? What about compost?
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26 Jul 12, Dennis (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi all what variety of peas suit my region, I am thinking of planting in August.
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05 Feb 12, PAUL (USA - Zone 5a climate): Can snap peas be started in fiber pots indooors now FEB., then moved outdoors in March?
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29 Sep 11, Eddie (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Can I grow peas in the same spot year after year? It is a lot of hard work taking down and putting up the trellis they grow on
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30 Apr 11, rhonda (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Your site lists winter as a good time to plant peas in my area, but we never plant them until late winter/early spring because harsh frosts will cause flower drop - can you comment?
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16 Aug 11, Nat (Australia - cool/mountain climate): We plant them in winter to late winter but have basic green shade cloth over one vegie patch and they do fine. grow thme on the edge though so they benefit from sunshine and can grow up the fence. Alternately, wait til spring and grow them up corn stalks.
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02 May 11, LIz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Thank you for that Rhonda. I discussed it with Chris, who also lives in cool/mountain zone and I have now revised the data .
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03 Dec 10, Gab the Gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi, is there any benefit in pruning a pea plant? If so, what is the best method? I love to prune but I think I may be over doing it. Thanks in advance, Gab
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27 Nov 10, Damian (Australia - temperate climate): Peas, I found milk made them worse with powdery mildew, I'll try the ecorose spray. I'm actually growing some peas now (late Nov!) as a trial of SE Asian sugar snaps as the kids LOVE them. For cabbages, get some Dipel, it's not a chemical, it's a bacteria which only attacks caterpillars. Zero withholding period, perfectly safe, derris dust has been under a cloud lately re safety, so I no longer use that. Plus it's nice to see the little green beggars shrivelled up dead a few days after you spray!
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Replying to:

Your site lists winter as a good time to plant peas in my area, but we never plant them until late winter/early spring because harsh frosts will cause flower drop - can you comment?

- rhonda

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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