Growing Peas

Pisum sativum : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P              

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

  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 (can grow beside): Potatoes
  • Peas in pod
  • Shelling peas
  • 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. 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

Post a comment or question Show comments for USA | for all countries

Be the first to post a question or tip from the USA

Let the plant go to nearly dying or pick the seed pod for peas when they are full size and the pod is drying out. Put them in a container and let them dry - a week or two. Then put them in a sealable packet (plastic) or paper and put them in a sealable jar and store in the bottom of the fridge. When you want to use them, take jar out of the fridge and let sit for awhile. 1/2 hr or so. Then you can plant. I have tried growing seeds this year and for some plants it isn't that easy. Things like corn peas beans tomatoes etc that germinate quick and grow quick are a lot easier than small seeds. Lettuce cabbage broccoli need a lot of attention and watering regularly. Celery takes forever to germinate and grow. I have worked out things to plant in the ground, as seedlings and in punnets. It is a work in progress. Plant Garden Plant seedlings Plant seeds / punnets Corn Cabbage Capsicum Snow Peas Broccoli Tomatoes Beans Lettuce Baby Spinish Beetroot Hon Tai Shallots Radish Zucchini

- Mike

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.