Pea in Zone 6a & 6b
Pisum sativum
When to plant pea in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Pea doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 14–Mar 21 |
| Estimated harvest | May 13–May 20 (~60 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 8 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-6 ft.
Peas are one of the few crops meant to go in the ground while it's still cold, direct-sown weeks before your last frost, while most of the garden is still just a plan on paper. They're also one of the few nitrogen-fixers in a typical vegetable bed, quietly benefiting whatever gets planted near their roots.
How pea fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Pea needs about 60 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Carrot: Peas fix nitrogen that benefits neighboring root crops.
Where to buy pea seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing pea" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Pea in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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