Peas are a favored cool-weather crop, and successful growth in Virginia depends on precise timing. The state’s varied climate, ranging from coastal plains to mountain ridges, means a single planting date does not work for all gardeners. Planting too late causes the vines to wilt and stop producing when intense summer heat arrives. The goal is to get seeds into the ground early enough so plants can mature and produce pods before soil temperatures rise too high.
Regional Timing for Spring and Fall Planting
The most reliable indicator for planting is the soil temperature, not the last frost date, since peas tolerate light frost. Peas require a minimum soil temperature of 40°F for germination, though 55°F to 65°F ensures faster, more uniform sprouting. Gardeners in the warmest areas, such as the Coastal Plain and Tidewater regions (USDA Zones 7b–8b), can often begin planting as early as late February or the first week of March. These regions experience earlier soil warming and have a longer frost-free season.
Moving westward into the Piedmont and Central Virginia (Zones 6b–7b), the planting window shifts to mid-March, often coinciding with the traditional St. Patrick’s Day timeline. In the cooler, higher elevations of Western and Mountain Virginia (Zones 5b–6a), planting should be delayed until late March or early April, when the colder soil is workable. These distinct regional planting windows ensure the plants mature before the summer heat causes production to cease.
For a second harvest, a fall crop of peas can be planted approximately 8 to 10 weeks before the first expected hard frost. This late-season planting allows the peas to mature during the cooler temperatures of early autumn. Fall-planted peas often produce a smaller yield than the spring crop, and the pods are more susceptible to frost damage than the vines. Gardeners should monitor local weather forecasts and consider using row covers to protect the developing pods as the season cools.
Essential Soil Preparation
Peas perform best in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.0 and 6.8. Heavy clay soils that retain too much water can lead to seed rot or fungal issues, such as damping-off, especially during cool, wet spring conditions. Amending the planting bed with organic matter, such as well-aged compost, improves both drainage in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils.
Peas are legumes, having a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. These bacteria live in root nodules and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, a process known as nitrogen fixation. Because of this natural process, avoid adding high-nitrogen fertilizers to the pea bed. Excessive nitrogen encourages lush, leafy vine growth at the expense of flower and pod production. If the soil is deficient in phosphorus and potassium, a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be lightly incorporated before planting.
Sowing Depth and Support Structures
For optimal germination, pea seeds should be sown about 1 to 2 inches deep in the prepared soil. The seeds can be planted relatively close together, spaced about 2 inches apart in the row. Planting in double rows spaced a few inches apart allows for efficient use of space.
Most pea varieties are climbing vines and require a support structure. This structure should be installed at the time of planting to avoid disturbing the young roots later. Trellises, wire fencing, or netting provides the necessary vertical support for the tendrils to grasp as they grow. Bush varieties are shorter and more compact, generally not requiring trellising, though they may benefit from short stakes or a small fence to prevent sprawling.
Protecting the Crop and Harvesting
After planting, managing soil moisture is important to prevent early-season problems. Damping-off, a fungal disease caused by pathogens like Pythium or Rhizoctonia, thrives in cool, overly wet soil, leading to the collapse of young seedlings. Ensuring good soil drainage and avoiding overwatering immediately after sowing are the best cultural controls. Rodents, such as rabbits, are also a common nuisance in early spring, often drawn to the first tender green shoots.
Watering needs increase significantly once the plants begin to flower and the pods start forming, as consistent moisture is necessary for plump, sweet peas. The time from planting to harvest typically ranges from 60 to 70 days, varying by variety. For shelling peas, harvest when the pods are plump and firm. Snow peas should be picked when the pods are flat and the seeds are barely visible, and snap peas are ready when the pods are fully filled out but still tender and crisp.