Planting timing · Cool-season
When to plant peas
Plant garden peas as early as the ground can be worked on the cited sheets — not on a national calendar month. Regional dates stay source-specific. Southern pea is a separate crop.
Growing guidance is general information. Timing, spacing, and care depend on cultivar, weather, soil, and local conditions. Check the sources and adjust the plan for your garden.
Spacing lives on the peas hub. Timing stays on the cited sheets.
Types and spacing live on growing peas.
What the sources say — at a glance
One source per card. Facts are not averaged.
Clemson HGIC 1328 (South Carolina)
As early as the ground can be worked. Piedmont Mar 1–Apr 5 and Aug 15–Oct 30; Coastal Feb 1–Mar 15 and Aug 15–Nov 30. Same sheet: fall plantings not recommended.
Details and limits (4)
Timing
Clemson HGIC 1328 (South Carolina): garden peas are cool-weather plants that can withstand frosts and light freezes, although the blossoms cannot. Plant pea seeds as early in spring as the ground can be worked. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Regions
Clemson HGIC 1328 (South Carolina): garden pea planting dates on their sheet — Piedmont March 1 to April 5 and August 15 to October 30; Coastal February 1 to March 15 and August 15 to November 30. South Carolina regions — not a national plant date.
Timing
Clemson HGIC 1328 (South Carolina): the same sheet also states fall plantings are not recommended. That statement stays on this card as a separate Clemson fact — not reconciled with the table.
Limit
South Carolina HGIC 1328. The table and the fall-not-recommended sentence stay on this sheet. Not a ZIP calendar.
Maryland Extension (Maryland)
Early spring. Soil at least 40 °F. DTM 50–70 from direct seed. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
Maryland Extension (Maryland): sow seed in the garden in early spring when soil temperatures reach at least 40 °F. Days to maturity 50 to 70 from direct seeding. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Maryland green peas garden page. Early-spring timing and 40 °F stay Maryland. Not a ZIP calendar.
UMN Extension (Minnesota)
As soon as thawed and workable. Light frost. Grow above 40 °F. 55–65 °F. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
UMN Extension (Minnesota): plant the seed as soon as the soil has thawed and is workable. Young pea plants can survive light frost and will grow at any temperature above 40 °F. Good growing temperatures are between 55 °F and 65 °F. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Minnesota peas sheet. Thawed-and-workable timing and 55–65 °F stay Minnesota. Not a ZIP calendar.
Illinois Extension (Illinois)
Soil at least 45 °F; dry enough to till. Heat-tolerant varieties midsummer to late summer, to mature during cool fall days. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (3)
Timing
Illinois Extension (Illinois): peas may be planted whenever the soil temperature is at least 45 °F and the soil is dry enough to till without its sticking to garden tools. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Timing
Illinois Extension (Illinois): plantings of heat-tolerant varieties can be made in midsummer to late summer, to mature during cool fall days. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Illinois peas page. 45 °F and midsummer-to-late-summer timing stay Illinois. Not a ZIP calendar.
Sources differ
Make it yours
Save the bed in the Field Book so next season is not a guess.
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When a partner is listed, it will be outbound and disclosed. Nothing to buy here. Fertilizer, soils, and pesticides stay off this slot.
When do you plant peas?
Compare timing on the cited sheets. Clemson HGIC 1328 (South Carolina): as early as the ground can be worked; Piedmont March 1 to April 5 and August 15 to October 30; Coastal February 1 to March 15 and August 15 to November 30. The same sheet also states fall plantings are not recommended. Maryland: early spring, soil at least 40 °F. Minnesota: as soon as thawed and workable. Illinois: soil at least 45 °F.
Do the sheets agree on fall planting?
No. Clemson’s table lists August through October (Piedmont) and August through November (Coastal), and the same sheet states fall plantings are not recommended. Illinois names midsummer to late summer plantings of heat-tolerant varieties for cool fall days. Maryland and Minnesota do not name a fall window on these cards. Four cards — not averaged.
What to record in the Field Book
Save the bed with the crop and the date. You may add a photo and notes. Compare entries you have recorded with each other — not with a diagnosis from this page. If you want an identification, bring the record to local Extension.
How we know — methodology. Ranges and assertions are cited per source, not blended.