When to plant Peas in the UK

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 Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Sow indoors March to April, plant out April to May, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Start peas indoors in guttering or deep modules to protect seeds from mice and get an early harvest. This method reduces root disturbance when transplanting.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    mid-March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Sow seeds in guttering or deep modules filled with compost mid-March to early April. Space seeds about apart and cover with of compost. Keep at until germination, which usually takes 7–14 days.

  2. 02

    Harden Off Seedlings

    early April to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Gradually acclimatise seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days early April to early May. Start with a few hours in a sheltered spot and increase exposure daily to prevent shock.

  3. 03

    Transplant Outdoors

    mid-April to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Dig a shallow trench and slide the entire block of seedlings from the guttering into the trench without separating plants mid-April to early May. Space rows apart and water well. Install pea sticks, trellis, or netting immediately to support the plants as they grow.

  4. 04

    Protect from Pests

    mid-April to mid-May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Cover the rows with fine netting or fleece to keep pigeons and other birds off the young shoots. Mice are mainly a threat to the seeds before germination; once the seedlings are planted out, they are rarely a problem.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    early June to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Water regularly once flowers appear to keep the soil consistently moist and help pods swell. Apply a high-potash liquid feed (such as tomato food) every 10–14 days to encourage flowering and pod set.

  6. 06

    Harvest Peas

    mid-June to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pick pods regularly mid-June to early August to encourage more flowers. For garden peas, harvest when pods are swollen; for mangetout, pick while pods are completely flat. Use scissors to avoid damaging the vines.

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.