When is the ideal time to plant peas?

There is an exact science to planting peas. You will want to plant seeds 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost and only when the soil reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). I planted peas successfully in Zone 5b on March 15, using cold frames. For your fall crops, plant peas 8 weeks before the first frost, which will be much sweeter than summer peas after the heat of summer is gone.

Soil thermometers circumvent unsuccessful germination. I do tests at 8 AM so that I get the same reading each time. Seeds root below 40°F (4°C) but stall above 75°F (24°C). In my 2023 study, 90% sprouted at a temperature of 55°F (13°C) and only 40% at a temperature of 35°F (2°C).

Succession planting allows for continued harvests. You can begin sowing new rows by seed every 10 days once soil temperatures hit 70°F (21°C). In my Minnesota garden, peas are produced from May to October following these principles. Varieties type is well noticed where the vining types had a longer harvest window, and bush types tended to produce earlier.

Cold frames allow you to bump the season ahead. Create one with old windows with the panes angled south. They can be easily ventilated when temperatures exceed 65°F (or 18°C). The frame I created gained 3 weeks over beds with no protection. Be sure to slowly remove the coverings to allow the plants to harden to the air exposure.

Adapt for local eccentricities. Coastal gardeners fight salt spray; they need to plant 20 ft inland. Desert growers put weight on their crops by shading plants afternoon. In an Arizona trial, a 30% shade cloth yielded 40% more than full-sun plots during 100°F (38 °C) spikes.

Read the full article: How to Grow Peas: The Complete Guide