Sweet Pea in Zone 2a & 2b
Lathyrus odoratus
Yes, sweet pea grows in zones 2a and 2b. Plant it outside Apr 8–Apr 15.
When to plant sweet pea in zone 2b
Zones 2a and 2b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 2–Jul 9 (~85 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-8 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 2b
These go outside within two weeks of sweet pea in zone 2b, so one planting day can cover them.
- LarkspurApr 22–Apr 29
- RadishApr 22–Apr 29
- PeaApr 8–Apr 15
- SpinachApr 22–Apr 29
- ArugulaApr 15–Apr 22
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Apr 22–Apr 29
Sweet pea breaks from the usual "wait for frost to pass" rule. It goes into the ground about 6 weeks before your last frost date, while the ground is still cold, because the seed needs that early start and darkness to germinate well. It climbs to 5 or 6 feet and covers itself in ruffled, butterfly-shaped blooms in pink, purple, white, or red, and it's grown here purely for fragrance and cut-flower value, not for the table.
How sweet pea fits zone 2's season
Zone 2b's frost-free window runs about 104 days, from May 20 to September 1. Sweet pea needs about 85 days from sowing to first bloom.
Sweet Pea planting windows in every zone
Zone 2b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jul 12–Jul 19 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 3–Apr 10 | Jun 27–Jul 4 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Mar 29–Apr 5 | Jun 22–Jun 29 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Jun 7–Jun 14 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Feb 27–Mar 6 | May 23–May 30 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Feb 11–Feb 18 | May 7–May 14 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Mar 30–Apr 6 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Not usually | Oct–Feb | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
Bloom dates are about 85 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for sweet pea.
Where to buy sweet pea seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's sweet pea seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing sweet pea" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 2b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Sweet Pea in USDA zone 2b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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