Peas in Bristol

Pisum sativum

Pea
Pea · Pisum sativum

A cool-season legume grown for its sweet pods or shelling peas. In the UK, peas thrive in early spring and autumn, needing support and protection from pests like mice and pigeons.

100 cm · Full Shade · High Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Bristol · last frost ≈ 19 Apr

Sow outdoors April, harvest June to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Pea

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow mangetout peas directly outdoors for a later, continuous harvest. This method suits warmer soil and reduces transplant shock.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Directly

    5 Apr to 19 Apr every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds in a prepared trench outdoors 5th April - 19th April. Space seeds apart in rows apart, covering with of soil. Water well and cover with netting to deter mice and birds.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    26 Apr to 3 May

    Thin seedlings to apart once they have two true leaves 26th April - 3rd May. Remove weaker plants to give the rest room to grow, and install pea sticks or netting immediately to provide support.

  3. 03

    Water and Protect

    17 May to 2 Nov

    Water heavily when flowers appear 17th May - 2nd November to ensure good pod development. Keep the area netted to protect from pigeons, and mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

  4. 04

    Harvest Mangetout

    11 Jun to 2 Nov

    Pick pods frequently while they are completely flat 11th June - 2nd November. Regular harvesting encourages more flowers and extends the cropping period. Use a gentle twist to avoid damaging the plant.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Pea.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Pea to consider

Kelvedon Wonder

A reliable early garden pea with sweet, small pods. It's resistant to mildew and good for cooler UK springs.

Oregon Sugar Pod

A mangetout variety with flat, tender pods that are best harvested young. It's vigorous and suits direct sowing.

Sugar Snap

A dual-purpose pea with edible pods that swell like garden peas. It's crunchy and sweet, needing regular picking.

Pea guides by town

See how Pea timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.