Peas in Edinburgh

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 Edinburgh · last frost ≈ 4 May

Sow outdoors April to May, harvest June to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Pea

Growing guide for

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

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Directly

    20 Apr to 4 May every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds in a prepared trench outdoors 20th April - 4th May. 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

    11 May to 18 May

    Thin seedlings to apart once they have two true leaves 11th May - 18th 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

    1 Jun to 16 Oct

    Water heavily when flowers appear 1st June - 16th October 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

    26 Jun to 16 Oct

    Pick pods frequently while they are completely flat 26th June - 16th October. 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.