When to plant peas
Short answer
Plant peas about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 11. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Dec 11 | Feb 9 |
| Zone 2 | — | Jan 11 | Mar 12 |
| Zone 3 | — | Feb 3 | Apr 4 |
| Zone 4 | — | Feb 23 | Apr 24 |
| Zone 5 | — | Mar 11 | May 10 |
| Zone 6 | — | Mar 26 | May 25 |
| Zone 7 | — | Apr 10 | Jun 9 |
| Zone 8 | — | Apr 27 | Jun 26 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Peas is a hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for peas
When to plant peas comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Peas is a hardy crop, so it goes in about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 11.
Peas is usually sown straight into the ground — no indoor start needed. From there it's roughly 60 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for peas ranges from about Feb 3 in warm zone 3 to Apr 10 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Peas is hardy — it goes in before the last frost |
| Indoor start | Direct-sow — no indoor start needed |
| Days to harvest | About 60 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Tolerates cool soil and light frost |
How peas compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas | Mar 11 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing peas
- Start peas early — it tolerates cool soil and a light frost, so you can plant before your last spring frost.
- Count roughly 60 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for peas dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant peas?
Plant peas about 5 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Feb 23; in a colder zone 6, Mar 26.
Can I direct sow peas?
Yes — peas is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until peas is ready to harvest?
About 60 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, peas planted around Mar 26 is typically ready near May 25.