Basics

Ease of Growing
Easy
Grown as
Annual
Days to Maturity
60 (Spring/Summer), 60 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit
Pole
Hardiness
Hardy

Peas are very frost tolerant.

Crops
Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season
Short, Long
Cultivar Type
Early
Growing Conditions
Cool

Peas are cool weather plants, hardy down to 20 degrees (28 degrees F when flowering). They prefer mild temperatures (55 to 75 degrees F) and don't usually set pods above 80 degrees F. In areas with hot summers they are grown as a spring or fall crop (fall planting presents its own problems however).

It is important to plant your peas early, so that they have enough time to mature before the hot weather sets in. Normally the first peas are planted 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date.

Outdoor Growing Temp
45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
45°F

Pea seeds will germinate over a wide temperature range, but do so much faster in warm soil. At 40˚F they may take over a month to germinate (if they don’t rot or get eaten in the meantime). At 70˚F they may take only a week.

These large nutritious seeds are vulnerable once planted, so you don't want them sitting in the soil for too long. For this reason it's best to wait until the soil is at least 45 degrees and preferably 60 degrees. 

Start Indoors
Yes
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Water
Moderate

Peas should get about one inch of water per week. In cool spring weather peas will usually get enough water from rainfall so you don't have to irrigate. Watering at this time may encourage mildew and can actually reduce yields. If the soil starts to get dry at any time you must start watering. This is particularly important from the time the flowers appear, as water is needed for pod formation and maturation.

Feeder
Light

Low nitrogen. Low potassium. Low phosphorous.

Peas aren't very hungry plants.

Suitability
Tolerates light frost
Small Gardens?
Yes
Containers?
Yes

It is possible to grow peas in fairly deep containers (at least 8"), but they won't be very productive. To increase productivity, increase the amount of compost tea you give your plant, especially during flowering and fruiting.

Attracts beneficial insects?
No
Color
Green
Fruit Size
3.0 - 3.0"
Plant Height
32.0 - 32.0"
Plant Diameter
6.0 - 12.0"
Hardiness Zone
2-11
Disease Resistance
Powdery Mildew, Pea Enation Virus
Taste Profile

Sweet, succulent pods.

Rotation Group
Soil Builders and Cleaners: Legumes + Corn + Potatoes