When to plant peas?
Sow peas outdoors from March to June, once the soil reaches about 10 °C, and indoors in February or March. In Campania the written sowing is autumn, October-November, or late winter, February-March; above 30 °C the flowers drop.
When, by region
| North | Centre | South | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sowing | Outdoors from March to June, soil at about 10 °C. Indoors in February or March, out in March and April at about 20 cm tall. In Valle d'Aosta, dwarf varieties in a sheltered spot in October; climbing ones in early spring. | Umbria's guide for processing peas does not fix a month. The 10 °C threshold applies, and the packet. | In Campania, October-November or February-March. Sicily's guide does not fix a sowing month. |
| Temperature | Soil at about 10 °C. A cool spring suits them. Seed about 5 cm deep. Tall varieties 7.5 cm apart, double rows 30 cm apart. | As in the north. Umbria does not write a degree threshold. | Germination from 4 °C, growth around 15-20 °C. Above 30 °C the flowers drop. Depth 3-6 cm. For the fresh market, 15-25 plants per square metre. |
Below 10 °C, outdoor seed does not start. In sodden soil it rots. Mice look for it: a pot under cover takes it out of their way.
March to June, 10 °C (50 °F), February or March indoors, planting out in March and April at about 20 cm, 5 cm and 7.5 cm, are from the RHS. October for dwarf varieties in a sheltered spot, and early spring for climbers, are from Valle d'Aosta's Informatore, the seed issue. October-November, February-March, 4 °C, 15-20 °C, 30 °C, 3-6 cm and 15-25 plants per square metre are from Campania, with the density for fresh-market peas. Umbria's 2025 sheet, on processing peas, does not fix a month. Sicily's guide does not write a sowing date. Depth and supports are also in peas and broad beans. The months are in the February calendar, March, April, May, June and October.
Soil at 10 °C
The RHS outdoor season runs from March to June. Seed will not germinate in very cold soil: wait for about 10 °C (50 °F). If spring is slow, cloches warm the bed before sowing. Sodden soil rots the seed. Indoors, in February or March, up to three seeds a pot about 5 cm (2 in) deep, and plant out in March and April once the plant is about 20 cm (8 in) tall. In autumn you can sow under cover and keep the plants in a greenhouse or cold frame through winter, then plant out in early spring.
In Valle d'Aosta, dwarf varieties in a sheltered spot are sown in October for a spring harvest. Climbers go in early spring, for summer. Where it is too cold, or high in the mountains, sow in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. The seedbed is in the homemade seedbed.
Campania, and the heat
Campania's guide writes two sowings: autumn, October-November, or late winter, February-March. The minimum for germination and growth is 4 °C. Optimum growth sits around 15-20 °C. In the first stages it tolerates temperatures below 0 °C. Above 30 °C the flowers abort and drop. For the fresh market, 15-25 plants per square metre and seed 3-6 cm deep. The usual harvest runs from April to June, depending on variety, sowing and weather.
Umbria's 2025 guide covers processing peas and does not fix a month. Sicily's guide does not write a sowing date. For a home garden, where the regional month is missing, the RHS window and the packet still apply. Broad beans, which have another calendar, are in when to plant broad beans.
Supports, water, roots
Tall varieties need netting or wire, in place at sowing: some reach 1.8 m (6 ft). Dwarf ones manage with a few twigs. In Valle d'Aosta the written spacing is 50-80 cm between rows and 15-25 cm between plants, for every variety. Once settled, water little except in drought: one soak as flowering starts and another two weeks later help the pods. Water on the soil, not the leaves, is in watering.
In a pot the RHS uses the smaller varieties, in a container at least 45 cm (18 in) wide, seeds 7.5 cm apart and 5 cm deep. The harvest stays modest, and the compost must not dry out. See the container garden. At the end of the crop, cut at the base and leave the roots: they fix nitrogen. They sit with the other legumes in crop rotation. Powdery mildew and pigeons are in pests and diseases.
In the app
Every plant in the catalogue has its own sowing calendar, and weather alerts for your area help you judge whether to sow now or hold off.
Frequently asked questions
When do I sow outdoors in the north?
From March to June, once the soil reaches about 10 °C. Indoors, in February or March, and out in March and April at about 20 cm tall. In Valle d'Aosta, dwarf varieties in a sheltered spot go in October; climbers, in early spring.
What about Campania?
October-November, or February-March. Germination from 4 °C, growth around 15-20 °C, and above 30 °C the flowers drop. Depth 3-6 cm.
What month does Umbria's guide write?
None. The 2025 sheet is for processing peas and does not fix a date. Sicily's guide does not write a sowing. Where the month is missing, the RHS 10 °C and the packet apply.
Do mice eat the seeds?
Often, yes. The RHS sows indoors for that reason too, and to keep them away from slugs. In autumn the pots stay under cover until early spring.
How far apart, and in a pot?
The RHS, for tall ones: 7.5 cm, double rows 30 cm apart. In Valle d'Aosta: 50-80 cm between rows and 15-25 cm between plants. In a pot, a container at least 45 cm wide, seeds 7.5 cm apart. In Campania, for the fresh market, 15-25 plants per square metre.