When to plant Peas in the UK

Pisum sativum

Pea
Pea · Pisum sativum

A cool-season crop grown for sweet pods or shelling peas. Sow in spring. Give plants support, and protect seed from mice and pigeons.

100 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Sow outdoors April to May, harvest June to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

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.

Sow mangetout directly outdoors for a later crop. This suits warmer soil.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Directly

    mid-April to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds in a prepared trench outdoors mid-April to early 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

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

    After each sowing, once seedlings have two true leaves, thin to apart. Put pea sticks or netting in at once.

  3. 03

    Water and Protect

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

    After each sowing, from late May to late October, water well once flowers appear. Keep the row netted against pigeons.

  4. 04

    Harvest Mangetout

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

    After each sowing, pick pods from mid-June while they are still flat. Keep picking through late October.

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.