Pea
Pisum sativum
Garden pea thrives in cool spring soil and declines as summer heat settles in. Direct sowing about 3.8 cm deep into workable ground beats transplanting, and vining types benefit from optional support while bush peas stay lower. Hardy seed can be sown from six weeks before the last frost to two weeks before it.
Plant family Fabaceae · Also called garden pea, snap pea, snow pea
Explore this profile
Jump directly to the growing detail you need.
Sow as soon as soil can be worked.
Sow about 3.8 cm deep outdoors from six weeks before the last frost to two weeks before it. Hardy peas tolerate cold soil earlier than bean crops.
Germination takes 7–14 days. Optional support helps vining types climb; succession every 14 days can extend picking if temperatures stay mild.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Support vining types if needed.
Space 5–8 cm apart in rows about 45 cm apart. Vining habit needs vertical space even when row width stays modest.
Containers require 30 cm depth and about 12 litres. Provide a short net or stakes in pots so vines do not tangle on the ground.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Grow fast before summer heat arrives.
Six hours of direct sun is the minimum. Peas flower and pod poorly in shade and stop producing as days lengthen and heat rises.
Moderate water at 25–35 mm weekly with pH 6.0–7.5. The key tip notes sowing as soon as soil can be worked because heat ends the crop.
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Moderate water need.
Aim for even moisture and water deeply when the upper 2-3 cm of soil begins to dry.
Pick pods while shells stay tender.
The 55–75 day range begins at sowing. Pick pods when peas are sweet and full but before skins turn starchy.
Regular picking encourages more flowers on vining types. A mid-summer gap is normal where only a spring sowing was made.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; most peas decline when sustained heat arrives.
Pea growing questions
Should peas be transplanted?
This profile uses direct sowing. Early outdoor timing runs six weeks before the last frost to two weeks before.
Do all peas need a trellis?
Support is optional. Vining growth habit benefits from support; bush types may not require it.
Why sow peas so early?
Most peas decline in sustained heat. The key tip recommends sowing when soil is workable.
How deep are pea seeds planted?
About 3.8 cm deep per the dataset.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S1,S2,S3,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
Explore another crop
Compare pea with other vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Crop Brief.
Browse all 50 crops