Garden Pea — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Pisum sativum |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 7.2–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 55–70 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 10.2–15.2 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–152.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 10.2–20.3 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 2–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Direct-sow seeds 1 inch deep and 4–6 inches apart as early in spring as the ground can be worked, well before the last frost; garden peas are cool-season vegetables that thrive in cool, moist conditions (45–75°F) and deteriorate rapidly when temperatures exceed 80°F, so early planting is essential for a good harvest before summer heat arrives. Bush types (60–80 cm) need no support; climbing types need a trellis or netting. Keep the soil consistently moist from flowering through pod fill — inconsistent watering causes poor pod fill. Harvest shelling peas when pods are plump but still bright green; snap peas when pods are full and sweet; snow peas when pods are flat and before seeds swell. Peas fix their own nitrogen and improve soil for subsequent crops.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0