How to Grow Peas: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Peas at a glance

PlantDirect sow: 6–4 wk before last frost

SunUMD full sun ≥6 hours/day (prefers 8–10).

WaterUMN often unnecessary in cool wet springs; in dry springs soak to at least one inch depth per week; water soil not vines; mulch three to four inches.

SpacingDepth: UMN cover seeds with 1 inch of soil at uniform depth.

Days to harvestClemson 65-80; UMD 50-70

-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3

■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.

Updated November 4, 2026

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Snow and sugar snap peas are the same species (Pisum sativum) as garden peas. Harvest stage differs — keep them as sections here, not separate thin pages.

Planting timing

Purdue HO-186: hardy — “plant 4-6 weeks before last spring frost.” (Purdue Extension) UMN: “Plant the seed as soon as the soil has thawed and is workable.” Young plants “can survive light frost” and grow above 40°F; good growing temps 55°F to 65°F. Once flowering/setting pods, frost can damage — cover if a late frost is forecast. Stops producing when temps stay above about 85°F. (UMN Extension) UMD: hardy annual; “can withstand heavy frosts in spring and fall (best to plant in early spring).” “Sow seed in garden … in early spring when soil temperatures reach at least 40 degrees F.” Fall-planted peas “often perform poorly in Maryland” (warm soil, heat, frost before pods mature). (UMD Extension) UNH: Direct seed “As soon as soil thaws.” (UNH Extension) Succession: UMN second planting a week later, and another a week after that, for a longer harvest. Prefer spring in the Mid-Atlantic (UMD).

Depth and spacing

Depth: UMN cover seeds with 1 inch of soil at uniform depth. Rutgers FS787: peas should always be seeded directly in the garden (poor transplant crop). Spacing: UMD “Sow seed in garden 1 to 3 inches apart”; wide rows about 18 inches apart; double rows 8 to 10 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches on center. UMN: tall vines in a single row at the trellis base; bush types single row or wide row 12 to 18 inches wide with seeds about 2 inches apart in all directions, or trench with seeds 6 to 7 inches apart. The sources differ (UMD 1–3 in in-row vs UMN 2 inches broadcast / 6–7 inches trench), so we show each. Support: UMN tall vines up to five feet need a trellis; bush types two to three feet. UMD determinate bushy <3 ft; indeterminate >5 ft.

Sun, soil and water

Sun: UMD full sun ≥6 hours/day (prefers 8–10). UMN full sun, but hot weather lowers quality. Soil: UMN well-drained; pH 6 to 7.5; many textures OK. UMD growth inhibited by acid soils, pH 6.0 and lower. Use well-rotted manure or compost at planting (UMN); avoid phosphorus buildup from repeated high-P fertilizer or manure. Water: UMN often unnecessary in cool wet springs; in dry springs soak to at least one inch depth per week; water soil not vines; mulch three to four inches. UMD keep the root zone moist; water more when pods develop. Weeds: UMD fibrous roots including a taproot — cultivate carefully; mulch. UMN shallow roots — do not cultivate deeply.

Shelling, snow and snap peas

Same species (Pisum sativum). Types (UMD; UMN): English/garden (shelling), snow (flat edible pods), sugar snap (edible pods with filling peas). Harvest cues (UMD): garden peas — pods plump before seed turns starchy; snow — large flat before seed enlarges; snap — succulent pods, small seeds (remove strings). Store cooled at 32°F ideal in a vented plastic bag.

Harvest and storage

Days to maturity: UMD 50 to 70 from direct seeding. Clemson planning chart Peas, Garden 65–80. (Clemson HGIC) UMN: most varieties about 60 days; harvest as soon as peas reach full size; quality declines within one to three days past maturity. Cool quickly; refrigerator a week or more. After harvest (UMN): turn vines into soil; wait ≥2 weeks; then plant a second crop or cover crop.

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