When to plant peas in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Sow Apr 5 · First harvest May 30 · Wrap by Jul 4

Last spring frostMay 10

Direct sowApr 5

First harvestMay 30

Last harvestJul 4

Fall succession sowJul 16

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 frost-free days. Peas tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 16 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does peas take to grow in zone 5a?

Peas matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around Apr 5 and first picking around May 30.

Will peas survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — peas tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of peas in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 16 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full peas growing guide →