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

  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

    Thin seedlings to apart once they have two true leaves early May to late 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

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

    Water heavily when flowers appear late May to late 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

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

    Pick pods frequently while they are completely flat mid-June to late October. Regular harvesting encourages more flowers and extends the cropping period. Use a gentle twist to avoid damaging the plant.

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.