How Late Can You Plant Peas? Extending the Growing Season for Maximum Harvests

As a passionate gardener and pea lover I’m always looking for ways to maximize my pea harvest each year. Peas are one of the most rewarding crops to grow with their unbeatably sweet flavor and satisfying crunch. But their short growing season can be frustrating. So I often find myself wondering – how late can I plant peas and still get a decent harvest?

The traditional wisdom says you should sow peas as early in spring as possible, with old adages recommending planting on St. Patrick’s Day or even earlier. But with some planning and clever techniques, it’s possible to plant peas much later and still reap a bountiful crop.

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned over the years about pushing the pea planting envelope to extend the growing season. I’ll cover

• How ideal planting dates vary by region
• The optimal soil temperature for planting peas
• Tips for warming up spring soil to enable earlier sowing
• Fast-maturing pea varieties that allow later planting
• Strategies for planting fall and winter peas

I hope these tips will help you enjoy garden-fresh peas for as long as possible, whether you’re planting in spring, summer, fall, or even winter!

Regional Planting Dates Vary Based on Climate

The first thing to understand is that ideal planting dates for peas depend heavily on your hardiness zone and last spring frost date.

In the Deep South and Southwest, gardeners can often successfully plant peas in late winter. But in the North and Midwest, the ground is still frozen solid at that time. In northern zones, planting peas 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date is generally best.

So forget rigid planting calendars. The key is tracking soil temperature and being aware of your specific local conditions. Peas can tolerate some cold but sustained freezing will kill them.

Here are some general guidelines for planting peas by region:

• North (zones 3-5): April/May
• Midwest (zones 5-6): March/April
• South (zones 7+): February/March
• West Coast (zones 8-10): February-April

But even in colder climates, there are things you can do to safely push up your pea planting dates…

Aim for 45-75°F Soil to Plant Peas

Peas grow best in relatively cool soil, around 45-75°F. But they’re far more cold tolerant than heat loving. In fact, newly sprouted pea seedlings can handle frosts and even light freezes.

So you can plant peas earlier than warmth-demanding crops like tomatoes or squash. Focus more on soil temperature than air temps or frost dates.

Test your soil temperature at a 4 inch depth before planting. Don’t be afraid to sow seeds if the soil is at least 40°F, even if cooler weather is coming. Just avoid planting right before an arctic blast.

Warming Techniques to Plant Peas Earlier

When spring soil is too cold for peas, there are some tricks to safely warm it up:

• Use plastic mulch or low tunnels to trap heat
• Mix in compost which generates warmth as it breaks down
• Try a south-facing location warmed by sunlight
• Cover planted rows with fabric row cover

With those warming techniques, I’ve planted peas up to a month before my average last frost date. The peas then mature faster when the soil does eventually warm up.

Fast-Maturing Varieties Extend the Planting Season

Most standard pea varieties need 60-70 days of cool weather to reach maturity. But fast-maturing cultivars can produce harvestable pods in just 50-55 days.

When planting late, choose one of these quick-growing peas to squeeze in a crop before summer heat hits:

• Little Marvel (49 days to harvest)
• Early Perfection (55 days)
• Progress #9 (57 days)
• Springer (58 days)

You’ll get smaller yields from fast-maturing peas. But they let you harvest something even with a late sowing.

Planting Peas in Late Summer or Fall

In mild climates (zones 7-10), you can plant a second pea crop in late summer for a fall/winter harvest. Sow seeds 10-12 weeks before your first expected autumn frost.

Key tips for successful late season planting:

• Prioritize fast-maturing and disease resistant varieties
• Use shade cloth to protect plants from hot sun
• Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch and irrigation
• Add trellises to moderate temperature and air circulation

With some luck and good care, you can be picking fresh peas around the winter holidays!

Overwintering Peas in Mild Climates

In zones 7-9, you can also try overwintering certain pea varieties planted in fall. They’ll go dormant through winter, then be ready to resume growth and produce peas in early spring.

These heirloom types are known for their ability to overwinter:

• Prussian Blue Peas
• Carouby de Maussane Pea
• Cascadia Snap Pea

But be aware you may lose some plants to winter cold exposure. Provide protective coverings to improve their winter survival rate.

Pea Shoots for an Earlier Harvest

If you simply can’t wait for full grown pods, harvest some pea shoots! Pea shoots are the young tender tips of vines, usually picked when 4-6 inches tall.

Plant a dedicated patch of peas just for shoots 2-4 weeks before your last frost. Start clipping once vines are established. Shoots add sweet pea flavor to salads, pastas, and stir fries.

Final Tips for Maximizing Your Pea Harvest

Follow these additional tips to enjoy garden-fresh peas for as long as possible:

• Stagger plantings every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest
• Provide trellises and shade in summer to prolong productivity
• Pick pods early and often to encourage more production
• Interplant fast-growing companion crops like radishes around peas
• Prioritize disease resistant varieties to withstand pathogens

With the right techniques and varieties, you can harvest peas well into summer and even achieve a second fall crop. So don’t limit yourself to just an early spring sowing. Explore the possibilities of planting peas later for an extended harvest!

Yes, you can plant peas in July for a fall harvest, especially in cooler climates and with the right variety. Peas thrive in cooler weather and are often planted in the spring and again in the fall when temperatures drop.