How to Grow Peas (2026)

Sow early spring as soon as soil works.

Type
Cool-season
USDA zones
3–10
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
2″
Seed depth
1″
Days to harvest
60

Quick answer: Peas is a cool-season crop for zones 3–10 in full sun. Plant 2–4 weeks before the last frost or in fall, space 2″ apart, and expect harvest in about 60 days.

Build your Peas planting card

Pick your state for indoor-start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.

In Alabama (zone 7–9, last frost ≈ Mar 15, first frost ≈ Nov 15, 245-day season), your Peas plan:

Sow / transplant outdoors
Mar 1
First harvest
Apr 30
Spacing / depth
2″ / 1″

Sow early spring as soon as soil works. Suits USDA zones 3–10. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and the 10-day forecast.

Growing tips

Spacing & planting FAQ

How far apart should I space Peas?
Space Peas about 2 inches apart. That gap keeps air moving through the foliage, which limits fungal disease and gives each plant room to reach its mature width.
Can I plant Peas closer together to save space?
You can tighten spacing slightly in containers or raised beds with strong airflow, but crowding below the recommended 2 inches invites poor circulation, more disease, and weaker growth. For most gardens, stay near 2 inches.
Why does spacing matter for Peas?
Proper spacing reduces competition for water and nutrients, improves pollinator access, and lets foliage dry faster after rain — all of which keep Peas healthier through the season.

Common peas problems

Symptoms, likely causes, fixes and prevention — each page is printable.

More cool-season crops

Spacing, depth, and days-to-harvest are typical values from university extension guides. Planting dates are computed from typical USDA/extension freeze dates (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates); confirm locally before acting.

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