Growing Pea in Zone 8a

Your planting timeline

1. Direct sowonce soil warms, around March 31
2. Harvestabout 55–70 days from transplant

Best varieties for zone 8a

Plant in late winter and favor heat- and mildew-tolerant types such as Wando, Oregon Sugar Pod II, and Cascadia that beat the early heat.

Growing notes

Peas like steady, even moisture — roughly an inch of water a week, and a little more once they begin flowering and filling pods, the stage when consistent moisture matters most for sweet, plump peas. Water deeply at the base rather than sprinkling lightly, and try to keep the foliage dry to discourage the powdery mildew that plagues this crop late in its season. Early spring rain often covers their needs, but check during dry spells, especially for shallow-rooted seedlings. Avoid waterlogged ground, which rots seeds and seedlings before they ever climb. A light straw mulch keeps the soil cool and evenly moist, helping peas hang on a little longer as the weather warms.