When should peas be planted?

Direct sow 8 weeks before last frost — for a typical April 15 last frost, that means sowing around February 18.

What spacing do peas need?

Sow 2 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart; the close in-row spacing works because pea vines support each other.

How much do pea plants produce?

Each plant yields about 0.5 lb of pods, so a 10-foot row at 2-inch spacing gives roughly 30 lb total.

Peas: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates

Plant count & yield calculator

Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.

Bed length

Bed width

Crop

Enter bed size to count plants.

Seed starting dates

Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Peas with this frost date , direct sow ~Feb 18 .

Pick a last frost date for the schedule.

About peas

Peas are among the earliest crops to plant each spring, tolerating light frost and providing sweet snap, shell, or snow peas well before summer heat arrives.

Spacing & yield

Peas wants 2×24 inches and about 0.5 lb per plant at ~65 days to maturity.

Growing tips

Sow as early as 8 weeks before last frost — peas prefer cool soil around 45-65 F.
Provide a short trellis or twine support even for bush peas to keep pods clean.
Harvest daily once pods begin filling to encourage continued flowering.
Follow with a warm-season crop once vines decline in summer heat.

Common mistakes

Waiting until warm weather to plant; peas perform poorly once temps exceed 75 F.
Sowing too deeply in heavy soil — plant 1 inch deep in clay, 2 inches in sandy soil.
Neglecting to pick mature pods, causing the plant to stop setting new flowers.

Harvest & storage

Pick snap peas when pods are plump but before seeds show through the pod wall, about 65 days from sowing.

Eat immediately for peak sweetness; otherwise blanch and freeze within hours of harvest.

Companion planting

Good neighbors for peas: carrots, radish, turnips, corn, beans. Avoid planting beside: onions, garlic, leeks.

Planting calendar

Direct sow about 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.

Frequently asked questions

When should peas be planted?: Direct sow 8 weeks before last frost — for a typical April 15 last frost, that means sowing around February 18.
What spacing do peas need?: Sow 2 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart; the close in-row spacing works because pea vines support each other.
How much do pea plants produce?: Each plant yields about 0.5 lb of pods, so a 10-foot row at 2-inch spacing gives roughly 30 lb total.