In zone 5, sow peas from March 27 to April 10, four to six weeks before your last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked. They are ready in about 60–80 days, from around May 26. For a fall crop, the last sowing date is about July 24.
Pea dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Pea timing in zone 5
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Sow outside | March 27 – April 10 |
| First harvest | May 26 – June 29 |
| Sow for fall by | July 24 |
| Sow again | One and two weeks after the first sowing |
| Put up a trellis | At sowing, for tall varieties |
| Fall crop (optional) | Sow at least 2 weeks after clearing the spring crop |
Most of zone 5 sees its last spring frost between May 2 and May 17 (typical May 8) and its first fall frost between September 28 and October 7 (typical October 2). Young pea plants survive light frost, so sowing early is safe. The tool above uses the weather station closest to your ZIP code.
Why peas go in so early
Peas are a cool-season crop. Young plants survive light frost, grow once it is above about 40 °F, and do best at 55–65 °F. Above about 85 °F they stop flowering and setting pods. That is why peas are sown four to six weeks before the last spring frost, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Best pea varieties for zone 5
Peas grow best at 55–65 °F, so the cool springs of zone 5 suit them well. Choose a type:
- Shelling (garden) peas: you eat the peas, not the pod.
- Sugar snap peas: thick, sweet pods eaten whole.
- Snow peas: flat pods, picked before the peas swell.
Bush varieties grow 2–3 feet tall and need no trellis; tall varieties reach 5 feet or more and need support.
How to plant peas
- Sow seeds about 1 inch deep, 1–2 inches apart, in a shallow trench or wide row.
- Put up support at sowing for tall varieties: two stakes with string or netting between them.
- Expect seedlings in 7–10 days.
- Sow again a week later, and again the week after, for a longer harvest.
- Go easy on fertilizer. Peas don’t need much.
Zone 5 pea tips
- Plant as soon as the soil thaws. Peas grow once it is above about 40 °F, and early sowings finish before summer heat.
- Stagger sowings a week apart for a longer harvest.
- Don’t overfeed. Too much fertilizer makes lots of vine and few pods.
- Pick often. Peas left too long turn starchy and tough.
Harvesting peas
Pick shelling peas when the pods are full and the peas are sweet and tender. Pick snow peas when the pods reach full length but the peas inside are still tiny, and sugar snaps when the pods look almost filled. Check every couple of days: over-mature peas turn starchy, with tough skins. Cook or chill them right away, because quality drops quickly.
Pea planting dates in nearby zones
See dates for every zone on the peas planting guide, or build a full schedule with the planting calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to plant peas in zone 5 in April?
It is getting late. Peas stop flowering and setting pods above about 85 °F. Sow a fast variety now, or wait and sow a fall crop.
Can peas survive frost in zone 5?
Yes. Young pea plants survive light frost, which is why they are among the first crops sown in spring.
Can peas survive frost?
Young pea plants survive light frost, so they are sown four to six weeks before your last spring frost.
Do peas need a trellis?
Tall varieties, which can reach 5 feet, need one. Bush varieties grow 2–3 feet tall and stand on their own.
What is the difference between snap, snow and shelling peas?
Shelling peas are grown for the peas inside. Snow peas have flat pods eaten young. Sugar snaps have thick, sweet pods eaten whole.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.