In zone 8, peas are a late-winter crop. Sow from February 17 to March 3, four to six weeks before your last frost, so they mature before spring turns hot. Expect peas in about 60–80 days. A fall sowing, by about August 26, also works in cooler autumns.
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 8
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Sow outside | February 17 – March 3 |
| First harvest | April 18 – May 22 |
| Sow for fall by | August 26 |
| Sow | Late winter, so peas mature before the heat |
| Put up a trellis | At sowing, for tall varieties |
| Finish harvest | Before temperatures pass 80–85 °F |
Most of zone 8 sees its last spring frost between March 25 and April 6 (typical March 31) and its first fall frost between October 31 and November 9 (typical November 4). 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 8
In zone 8, the pea season is short, between the last frost and the first hot spell. Choose fast varieties:
- Sugar snap and snow peas are picked young, so they are ready sooner than shelling peas.
- Shelling (garden) peas need to mature before temperatures reach 80 °F.
- Bush varieties (2–3 feet) mature quickly and need no trellis.
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 8 pea tips
- Plant in late winter. In coastal areas of the Southeast, peas can go in as early as mid-January; inland, by mid-February.
- Beat the heat. Garden and snow peas that mature above 80 °F turn starchy and tough.
- Soak seeds for 6–8 hours before planting to speed germination.
- Don’t overfeed. Too much fertilizer gives lots of vine and few peas.
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 8 in March?
Yes, for this spring: peas sown that late mature in heat. Sow again in fall, or next year in late winter.
When should I plant peas in zone 8?
In late winter, about four to six weeks before your last frost, so they finish before spring heat.
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.