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InsightHorizon Digest

Can you grow peas in autumn

Author

James Bradley

Updated on April 01, 2026

Peas in fall, you ask? Why, yes, if your first frost date is still at least two months away like ours. Peas may be the proverbial spring vegetable, but they are also well-suited for late summer plantings to mature in early fall, given that they are a vegetable that prefers cooler weather.

Can you plant peas in autumn?

Sow peas between March and early July. For earlier crops that are ready from May onwards, sow in autumn or late winter (bear in mind you may experience losses from cold weather or mice).

Can you grow peas all year round?

You can grow outdoor crops such as potatoes and peas in the greenhouse beds, using the extra protection to bring them forward several weeks. By July and August the space is clear for winter salads and veg.

What peas can you sow in autumn?

One general rule to remember when selecting peas for overwintering is that peas which are round and smooth will be better for autumn planting, while those which are wrinkly are best sown in the spring. Some good varieties to plant in autumn are: ‘Amelioree d’Auvergne’ ‘Douce Provence’

Can I plant peas in October?

Peas need some warm weather to sprout but then do fine in cooler weather, they are even ok with a light frost.

Can peas survive winter?

Peas are able to do just fine in temperatures as low as 28 degrees F. … peas can survive the cold but will suffer some damage. (This is assuming that the cold happens without an insulating blanket of snow.) If snow has fallen and has covered the peas, the plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees F.

Can I sow peas in September?

This one often surprises many gardeners. But you can sow peas anytime between September and November for early spring pods. … Ensure you stick the peas early on to get them up out of the way of slugs. A bit of mesh can also help to keep the pigeons off .. they love tender succulent peas in mid-winter.

When can I plant peas outside?

Pea seeds can be sown directly into the soil outdoors from February through to June. If the weather is unseasonably cold, start your peas off in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill, and transfer your seedlings into the garden when temperatures rise.

Can peas survive frost UK?

While not the most cold-hardy of the common winter vegetables, peas can withstand some frost and can be planted in late winter for an early spring harvest.

How late can you sow peas?

You can sow pea seeds as late as June – July for picking the same year. Sow the seeds of intervals of two to three weeks and they will be ready to pick in September even throughout October if the weather is mild.

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Do I need to cover peas for frost?

Shelter the pea plants with sheets or some other covering. A cold frame or hoop greenhouse with a plastic roof will protect the plants during a hard frost if necessary. While the pea plant can survive cool temperatures, the blossoms and pods of the pea plant may be damaged by late spring frost.

Can you grow peas from frozen peas?

The frozen pea seeds will not germinate (see Expected results) but they may start to decompose. Tape up the Petri dishes containing frozen pea seeds and allow the students to observe the seeds without re-opening these Petri dishes.

What can I plant now for winter color?

  • Winter flowering Clematis.
  • Pansies.
  • Coronilla.
  • Hellebores.
  • Camellia.
  • Ilex.
  • Cornus.
  • Sarcococca.

What vegetables do you plant in autumn?

  • Beetroot. Direct sow seeds in early autumn to harvest in 10-12 weeks. …
  • Broad beans. …
  • Broccoli/broccolino. …
  • Brussels sprouts. …
  • Cabbage/Chinese cabbage. …
  • Cauliflower. …
  • Kale. …
  • Lettuce.

What winter veg can I plant in September?

September is a good time to sow veg seeds for winter and spring, including leafy crops, autumn onions and broad beans. September is harvest time, but it’s also time to plan ahead and start sowing the vegetables that will provide valuable winter harvests and earlier spring and summer pickings.

What temperature kills peas?

In general, a frost (31-33 degrees F.) will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon. Colder temperatures (26-31 degrees F.)

How long do winter peas take to grow?

Peas will sprout in 21 to 30 days if the soil temperature is 38 degrees Fahrenheit and the germination rate, or number of seeds that do sprout, will be low. At temperatures of 65 to 70 F the seeds will sprout within 7 to 14 days and the germination percentage will be in the high 90s for fresh seed.

Do mangetout become peas?

If you fail to harvest mangetout at the right moment they can be left to mature to shelling peas.

Do peas need full sun?

For best results, peas need at least six to eight hours of full sun exposure daily. Pea plants will tolerate partial shade (especially in the hottest part of the day), but they will grow slower.

Can I sow peas in August?

Peas can be sown until the end of July, but probably no later than mid-August. Sow a quick, ‘early’ variety such as ‘Douce’, ‘Provence’ or ‘Meteor’.

Can you plant peas in August?

Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in August in order to produce a moderate fall harvest.

How long do peas take to grow?

Most pea varieties are ready to harvest 60 to 70 days after planting. To avoid damaging the stem, use one hand to hold the pea vine and the other hand to pull off the pea pods. After picking, promptly cool peas in a cold water bath, then dry them. Eat fresh peas soon after picking for the best flavor.

Can you sow peas in June?

Peas are best sown by mid May but can still be sown up to the beginning of June. … It is also generally accepted that peas don’t grow as well in hot weather but this has more to do with moisture than temperature.

Can peas be grown in pots?

If you are without a garden proper or just low on yard space, most vegetables can be grown in containers; this includes growing peas in a container. Peas can be planted in a pot and kept inside or outside on a deck, patio, stoop, or roof.

Why are my peas not growing?

Any number of poor growing conditions can also attribute to garden peas not producing. Cold, wet springs or hot, dry weather can impede the development of root nodules and inhibit nitrogen fixing. Planting peas too late in the season can cause the plants to turn yellow and die before setting pods.

Are garden peas Hardy?

Peas are easy to grow from seed sown in spring and into early summer, either outdoors where they are to grow, or indoors to get them off to an early, reliable start. When choosing varieties to grow, bear in mind that round peas tend to be hardier than wrinkled varieties.

What temperatures can sweet peas tolerate?

Frost and Cold Tolerance A cold-hardy annual, sweet peas can tolerate a light freeze, but they require protection when temperatures drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

What peas are heat tolerant?

Choose early season pea varieties such as “Burpeeana Early,” “Maestro,” “Sugar Bon,” “Thomas Laxton,” “Alaska” and “Early Snap.” Early peas beat the heat and are ready for harvest before hot summer weather sets in.

Should I soak peas before planting?

Some pea (Pisum sativum) seeds will look wrinkled. Most of them have hard coats, and all benefit from soaking before planting. … Only soak seeds for about eight to 12-hours and no more than 24-hours. Over-soaking them could cause them to decompose.

Do peas need a trellis?

Green peas don’t need a trellis, but pods will be easier to pick when vines are held upright. If you’re using a trellis, insert it prior to planting. … Peas attach by tendrils, tiny stems that curl and encircle supports. Tendrils quickly wrap around slender supports to hoist vines skyward.

What can you plant next to peas?

Peas – Superb companions for beans, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, parsley, peppers. potatoes, radish, spinach, strawberries and turnips. Avoid planting peas near onions.