Peas
Peas, with their delicate tendrils and sweet, tender pods, bring a charming and productive touch to any garden. These cool-season vegetables are known for their climbing vines and attractive, white flowers that give way to plump, green pods. Whether you choose shelling peas, snow peas, or snap peas, they add a lush, whimsical element to garden beds, trellises, or containers.
In Florida planting zone 9, peas thrive particularly well during the cooler months. The vines quickly climb supports, producing an abundance of pods that are easy to harvest. Watching the vines grow and the pods fill out is a rewarding experience, marking the progress of your gardening efforts.
For those new to gardening, peas are an excellent choice. They are very easy to grow and provide a generous harvest of sweet, nutritious pods. Whether you enjoy them fresh, steamed, or cooked into your favorite dishes, peas bring a delightful and healthy addition to your meals, making your gardening endeavors both enjoyable and fruitful.
I would give peas a 5 out of 5 on how easy they are to grow. They are very easy to cultivate and manage, making them perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
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Snap Peas:
Sugar Snap
Heirloom
Description: Sugar Snap peas are a classic variety known for their sweet, crisp pods that can be eaten whole. They have a deliciously sweet flavor and are highly productive.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Tall vines require trellising. Great for fresh eating, stir-fries, and salads.
Sugar Ann
Hybrid
Description: Sugar Ann is a dwarf snap pea variety that produces sweet, tender pods. It matures earlier than many other snap peas, making it a great choice for quick harvests.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Compact plants do not require support. Excellent for container gardening and small spaces.
Cascadia
Hybrid
Description: Cascadia snap peas produce thick, sweet pods that are crunchy and flavorful. The plants are disease-resistant and very productive.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Requires trellising. Suitable for fresh eating, cooking, and freezing.
Snow Peas:
Oregon Sugar Pod II
Hybrid
Description: Oregon Sugar Pod II is a high-yielding snow pea variety with large, flat pods. It has a sweet flavor and tender texture.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Resistant to powdery mildew. Great for stir-fries and salads.
Dwarf Grey Sugar
Description: Dwarf Grey Sugar is an heirloom variety known for its tender, sweet pods and edible purple flowers. It is a dwarf variety that is easy to grow.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Does not require trellising. Ideal for container gardening and edible landscaping.
Mammoth Melting Sugar
Heirloom
Description: Mammoth Melting Sugar produces large, sweet, and tender pods. The plants are vigorous and productive.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Requires trellising. Perfect for fresh eating and cooking.
Shelling Peas:
Green Arrow
Heirloom
Description: Green Arrow peas are known for their long pods filled with sweet, tender peas. They are highly productive and easy to shell.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Resistant to powdery mildew and fusarium wilt. Great for fresh use, canning, and freezing.
Wando
Heirloom
Description: Wando is a heat-tolerant shelling pea variety that produces large, sweet peas. It is well-suited to warmer climates and has a long harvest period.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Tolerant of both heat and cold. Excellent for fresh use and freezing.
Lincoln
Description: Lincoln peas produce high yields of sweet, tender peas in long, slender pods. They are known for their excellent flavor and easy shelling.
Growing Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Heat-tolerant and resistant to fusarium wilt. Ideal for fresh eating, canning, and freezing.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b–9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a–11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Pea | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Direct Seed | Jan–Mar | Nov–Feb | Nov–Feb |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Jan–Mar | Nov–Feb | Nov–Feb |
Planting Guide – Peas
Getting Started – Peas
Start Seeds Inside:
Starting pea seeds indoors is not recommended because peas grow best when sown directly into the garden.
Their roots dislike disturbance, and direct seeding ensures stronger, better-established plants.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding peas during the cooler months allows for rapid germination and steady growth. Plant in fall or winter
windows listed in the calendar above to avoid heat stress and give vines time to flower and set pods.
Transplant Starter Plants:
If you do use transplants, plant them carefully during late fall and winter so they can establish quickly and continue
growing without the stress of high temperatures. Handle roots gently to avoid stunting.
Peas are cool-season legumes that enrich the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Once the plants are finished producing, you can cut them at the soil line and leave roots in the ground to feed future crops.
Soil, Sun, Water, Spacing, and Additional Tips
Soil:
Peas prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure without overloading nitrogen.
Sun:
Full sun to partial shade is ideal. In warmer areas of Florida, a bit of afternoon shade can help prevent wilting and
extend the harvest.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Even moisture is especially important during flowering and pod
formation. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Spacing:
- Plant pea seeds 2–6 inches apart in rows spaced about 12 inches apart.
- Provide trellises, netting, or other supports for climbing varieties to save space and improve air circulation.
Additional Tips:
- Plant when soil is cool but not waterlogged; peas dislike soggy conditions.
- Rotate peas with other crops to reduce disease buildup in the soil.
- Consider sowing a few successions within the recommended window for an extended harvest.
Harvest – Snap, Snow, and Shelling Peas
Snap Peas:
Ready to harvest when pods are plump, crisp, and about 2–3 inches long—typically
60–80 days after planting. Pods should still be tender and fully edible. Frequent picking encourages
more blooms and pods.
Snow Peas:
Harvest when pods are flat, tender, and about 2–3 inches long, usually in the
60–80 day range. Pick them before the peas inside begin to swell so the pods stay sweet and
crisp.
Shelling Peas (Garden Peas):
Ready when pods are fully formed, rounded, and still bright green—generally 60–80 days after
planting. The peas inside should be fully developed but not hard. Shell immediately after harvest for best flavor.
By selecting the right pea types for your garden and picking at the right stage, you can enjoy a long, sweet harvest from fall through spring in Florida’s Zone 9.
Fertilization, Care, and Common Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Peas benefit from a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content and higher phosphorus and potassium levels to support
root development and pod production, such as 5-10-10 or 3-4-4.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply fertilizer to the soil before planting seeds to promote
strong initial growth and root development.
Mid-Growing Season: If needed, reapply lightly mid-season to support continued
growth and pod development, especially in sandy soils that leach nutrients quickly.
Application Tips:
- Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.
- Apply fertilizer evenly around the base of plants and water thoroughly to move nutrients into the root zone.
- Remember: peas are legumes and can fix their own nitrogen—excess nitrogen can cause lots of foliage but fewer pods.
Pests and Diseases that Affect Peas in Florida:
- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from leaves and stems, causing curling and yellowing.
- Pea Weevils: Beetles whose larvae feed on developing seeds inside the pods.
- Fusarium Wilt: Fungal disease causing yellowing, wilting, and stunted growth.
- Powdery Mildew: White, powdery coating on leaves that can reduce vigor and yield.
- Downy Mildew: Yellowing leaves with fuzzy, grayish growth on the underside.
- Root Rot: Fungal issues in poorly drained soil causing root decay and plant collapse.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants for Peas:
| Carrot | Root vegetable with sweet, crunchy flavor. Carrots help break up soil, improving aeration and drainage for peas, and benefit from the nitrogen peas add back into the soil. |
| Radish | Fast-growing root crop with a spicy flavor. Radishes can act as a trap crop, attracting flea beetles and aphids away from peas and reducing pest pressure. |
| Marigold | Bright flowers that release compounds in the soil which deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests. Marigolds also help repel aphids and protect pea roots from nematode damage. |
| Lettuce | Leafy green that provides living mulch around pea plants, keeping soil cool and moist. Lettuce does not compete heavily for nutrients and fits well between trellised pea rows. |
| Spinach | Nutrient-dense leafy green with quick growth. Spinach offers ground cover that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture, while also benefiting from the nitrogen that peas add to the soil. |
Plants to Avoid Near Peas:
| Onions | Can inhibit the growth of peas and reduce overall vigor. Keep all alliums at a distance from pea beds. |
| Garlic | Similar to onions, garlic can stunt pea growth and is best grown in a separate area of the garden. |
| Shallots | Another member of the allium family that can negatively affect pea growth when planted too close. |
| Leeks | Compete for similar root space and can inhibit peas. Give leeks their own bed or a separate section. |
| Potatoes | Compete for nutrients and can attract some of the same pests that also attack peas. Separate pea and potato beds to reduce pest and disease overlap. |
These companion plants help protect peas from pests and diseases while also enhancing the overall health and productivity of the garden. Keeping conflicting crops at a distance gives your peas the best chance to thrive.