How to grow Peas
Updated October 2026
Garden peas are one of the first crops of spring in the North and a winter crop in Florida and the South. They are frost tolerant but dislike heat, so the trick is to sow early enough that they flower and pod before temperatures climb past about 80°F. Shelling peas, snap peas and snow peas are all grown the same way.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Peas: When to Plant Peas in Every US Region
Not to be confused with: Snow peas are flat-podded peas eaten whole, and pea shoots are young pea plants grown for their tips. Southern peas, such as black-eyed peas, are a different, heat-loving crop.
Where to plant
Peas need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They are cool-weather, frost-tolerant plants that germinate and grow best below about 80°F and do poorly in heat. Seed germinates in 7 to 10 days in soil of 55 to 65°F and can be sown once the soil is above about 40°F.
- Florida: UF/IFAS lists January to March in North Florida and November to February in Central and South Florida.
- The Gulf South, Texas, the Desert Southwest and Southern California: sow in fall and winter for a late winter and spring crop.
- The Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Pacific Northwest and Northern California: sow in late winter to early spring, and again in late summer for a fall crop.
- The Northeast, Midwest, Northern Plains, Mountain West and Alaska: sow as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. Fall crops are possible from a late summer sowing, though yields are usually lower than spring sowings.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Garden (shelling) peas | 'Green Arrow', 'Little Marvel', 'Wando', 'Sparkle', 'Early Frosty' |
| Snap peas | 'Sugar Snap', 'Super Sugar Snap', 'Sugar Daddy', 'Sugar Sprint' |
| Snow peas | 'Oregon Sugar Pod II', 'Dwarf Grey Sugar', 'Snowflake' |
Where fusarium wilt has been a problem, choose resistant varieties.
How to plant
- Sow seed 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches deep and 1 to 2 inches apart in rows 12 to 24 inches apart. No thinning is needed.
- Put up a trellis, netting or fence for climbing and tall varieties at sowing time; dwarf types are mostly self-supporting.
- For shelling peas, sow small batches every 2 to 3 weeks through the planting window. Snap peas crop over a longer period, so one sowing is often enough.
- Use row cover to protect very early sowings from hard frost.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, especially once plants flower, when drought makes flowers and pods abort and pods stringy. Let the soil dry somewhat between waterings rather than keeping it soggy, as wet soil causes root rots. Water at the base to keep leaves dry.
Peas fix their own nitrogen. Compost or a light fertilizer at planting is enough; UF/IFAS suggests half the rate used for other vegetables, as extra nitrogen gives leaves and delays flowering.
Pruning and care through the year
- Weed carefully for the first six weeks with shallow cultivation.
- Mulch to keep the soil cool as the weather warms.
- Pick regularly to keep new pods forming.
Harvesting
Pick shelling peas when the pods are full and round but before the seeds harden. Pick snap peas when the pods are plump, and snow peas while the pods are flat and the peas tiny. For dry peas, leave pods until they turn yellow and dry.
Use fresh peas as soon as possible after picking for the best quality.
Companion planting
Peas are a cool-season legume that leaves some nitrogen in the soil for the next crop.
Good companions
- Carrot A traditional pairing; both are sown early and do not compete much.
- Radish A quick crop that is pulled before the peas fill out.
- Cucumber Can follow peas on the same trellis in summer.
- Sweet corn Can follow peas in the same bed to use the nitrogen they leave.
- Beans
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to peas.
Pests and diseases
Aphids, which spread viruses, and fusarium wilt in warm soil are the main problems. Early sowing avoids many of them.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Green to pinkish colonies on new growth; they spread pea enation mosaic virus.
- Pea weevil Small brown beetles laying eggs on young pods; larvae feed on the seeds.
- Caterpillars Armyworms and cutworms feeding on leaves and stems.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on leaves, especially late in the season and in humid spells.
- Fusarium wilt Leaves curl down, stems turn brittle, and the inside of stems and roots shows yellow-orange streaks, worst in soil above 70°F.
- Rust Rusty orange pustules on leaves and stems.
Common questions
When should I plant peas?
As soon as the soil can be worked in spring in the North; peas take light frost. In Florida, UF/IFAS lists January to March in North Florida and November to February in Central and South Florida.
Why did my peas stop producing?
Heat. Peas do poorly when temperatures go above about 80°F. Sow early so they crop before summer, and keep them watered while flowering.
Do peas need fertilizer?
Very little. They fix their own nitrogen; too much makes lush leaves and fewer pods.
Do peas need a trellis?
Tall and climbing varieties, including most snap and snow peas, do best with a trellis or netting. Dwarf varieties are mostly self-supporting.
When do I pick peas?
Shelling peas when the pods are full but before the peas harden; snap peas when plump; snow peas while flat. Use them right away for the best quality.
Sources we checked: Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Peas in Your Garden; UF/IFAS EDIS: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (VH021).
More guides for peas
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