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Vegetable Crop Calendars (A–C)Pea Planting Calendar: Spring and Fall
Peas are a race against summer heat. Plant them as early as the ground allows in spring, and treat a fall crop as a gamble that depends on where you live.
Key points
- Sow once soil is workable and at least about 40 degrees; do not plant into soggy ground.
- Heat is the enemy, so count days to maturity against your usual early summer.
- Fall peas work in some states and fail in others; check your own extension.
- Pick pods at the right stage and keep picking.
When can you plant peas in spring?
University of Maryland Extension advises sowing in early spring when soil temperatures reach at least 40 degrees. UMass Extension says peas can go in as early as the soil becomes tillable, and that seed germinates well at temperatures as low as 50 degrees, though slowly.
University of Missouri Extension puts it plainly: once the soil warms enough to work, the earlier the better, because Missouri springs can turn hot fast and heat lowers both quality and yield.
For example, if your soil usually reaches that range in late March and your area turns hot in early June, a 50 to 70 day crop leaves little slack, so you would sow in the first workable window rather than waiting.
What soil temperature do peas need?
Maryland's page says germination is delayed below 40 degrees, warmer soil up to 75 speeds emergence, and growth is best at 65 to 70 degrees. UMass adds a warning: prolonged cool, wet weather can rot seed in the ground.
The practical rule is workable soil, not waterlogged soil. If a handful squeezed in your fist drips or stays in a muddy lump, wait a few days. Sandy, well-drained beds are good for the earliest sowings.
Pea roots fix nitrogen with help from soil bacteria, which is why many gardeners do not fertilize heavily. Follow a soil test and local recommendations, and remember that nutrient rules vary by state.
How long do peas take to mature?
Maryland Extension gives roughly 50 to 70 days from direct seeding to maturity. Use that to check whether your spring has room: count from your planned sowing date and compare with when your area typically turns hot.
If it does not fit, choose earlier varieties, pre-germinate seed indoors on a damp towel as Maryland suggests for an earlier start, or accept a smaller early crop.
Can you grow a fall pea crop?
It depends on the state. Missouri Extension recommends planting fall peas in August, slightly deeper than in spring, with extra water until cool weather arrives. Maryland Extension, on the other hand, says fall-planted peas often perform poorly there because warm soil germinates seed badly, heat stresses plants, and a killing frost can arrive before pods mature.
Do the math with your own frost date: add the days to maturity, subtract from your first fall frost, and see whether that lands in hot weather. If it does, a fall crop may not be worth the seed.
If you do try fall peas, pick a variety with a short maturity time, sow slightly deeper, and shade the row until seedlings emerge. Record the result so you know next year whether it was worth it.
Do peas need support?
Maryland's page distinguishes bushy determinate types under about three feet from indeterminate types that can top five feet and need support. Plants grown together can prop each other, but a trellis makes picking easier.
Put the trellis up at planting, not after the vines are tangled. Chicken wire, netting or brush all work if the plants can grab it.
Pea vines are shallow-rooted and dislike disturbance, so avoid deep cultivation near the rows. Mulching after emergence conserves moisture and keeps roots cool.
When do you pick peas?
Garden peas are ready when pods are plump but before the seeds turn starchy. Snow peas are picked when pods are large and flat but before the seeds swell. Snap peas are picked when pods are succulent and seeds are still small.
Pick often, since leaving mature pods signals the plant to stop producing. After harvest, rotate peas to a different bed next year to reduce disease buildup.
Powdery mildew and root rots are common problems. Rotation, spacing and avoiding wet soil help. Ask extension about current options.
What should you check each spring before sowing peas?
Peas are forgiving of cold but not of mud. A few quick checks tell you whether today is the day or whether you should wait.
Use this list in March or April:
- Soil is crumbly, not sticky, and has reached at least about 40 degrees.
- You have trellis material ready if you chose a tall variety.
- Seed is fresh and, if you wish, pre-germinated on a damp towel.
- You know how many days your variety needs and when local heat usually arrives.
Timing at a glance
| Item | Window | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Fall peas, Missouri | Plant in August | Missouri guidance; Maryland extension says fall peas often do poorly there, so test locally and check your first frost date. |
| Spring peas, Maryland | Early spring when soil is at least 40 F | Temperature-based; actual dates follow your local spring. |
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.