When To Plant Peas In Florida

If you’re a Florida gardener, knowing when to plant peas is the key to a successful harvest. The optimal planting season guide for peas in the Sunshine State revolves around our unique climate, which is quite different from most other regions.

Florida’s heat is the main factor to consider. Peas are a cool-season crop, and they will not produce well in our intense summer heat and humidity. Planting at the right time ensures your plants mature during the cooler, drier weather they love. This guide will walk you through the best times, varieties, and methods for growing delicious peas in your Florida garden.

The short answer is: plant your peas in the fall or early winter. For most of Florida, the ideal planting window runs from September through February, but this varies significantly by your specific location within the state.

Understanding Florida’s Growing Zones

Florida is divided into three main gardening regions: North, Central, and South Florida. Your planting schedule depends on which region you call home.

North Florida (Zones 8-9): Plant from September to February. October and November are often the sweet spot.
Central Florida (Zones 9-10): Plant from October through January. The window is a bit later and shorter here.
South Florida (Zones 10-11): Plant from November through February. This is your primary cool-season window.

Always aim to get peas planted so they mature before the heat of late spring truly sets in. A light frost won’t hurt established pea plants, but a hard freeze might.

Best Pea Varieties for Florida Gardens

Choosing heat-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties is crucial. Here are some excellent choices for Florida’s conditions:

Snap Peas: ‘Sugar Ann’, ‘Sugar Snap’
Snow Peas: ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’, ‘Mammoth Melting Sugar’
Shelling (English) Peas: ‘Green Arrow’, ‘Wando’ (known for heat tolerance)
Southern Peas (Cowpeas): While not true peas, these love the heat. Try ‘California Blackeye’ or ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’ for a summer crop.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Follow these simple steps to get your peas off to a strong start.

1. Site Selection and Soil Prep

Peas need full sun (at least 6-8 hours) and very well-draining soil. They do not like wet feet. Work in several inches of compost or aged manure to improve soil texture and fertility. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal.

2. How to Sow Seeds

Peas grow best when sown directly in the garden. Soaking seeds overnight in water can improve germination.

Create a furrow about 1 inch deep.
Place seeds 1-2 inches apart in the row.
Cover with soil and water gently.
Space rows about 18-24 inches apart.

Most bush-type peas don’t require a trellis, but providing some support, like a small tomato cage, can keep them tidy. Tall vining varieties definitly need a sturdy trellis at planting time.

3. Watering and Feeding

Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate. Once established, water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar diseases. Peas fix their own nitrogen, so avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. A balanced, light feeding when plants are 6 inches tall is usually sufficient.

Common Pests and Problems

Stay vigilant for a few typical issues.

Aphids: Blast them off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Improve air circulation, water at the base, and plant resistant varieties.
Birds: They sometimes pull up young seedlings. Use bird netting or row covers if they become a problem.

Rotating your pea bed each year helps prevent a buildup of soil-borne diseases. Its a simple practice with big benefits.

Harvesting Your Florida Peas

Harvest time depends on the pea type. Generally, you’ll start picking 60-70 days after planting.

Snap Peas: Harvest when pods are plump but still glossy and the peas inside are just starting to swell.
Snow Peas: Pick while pods are still very flat, before the peas inside develop.
Shelling Peas: Wait until pods are fully rounded and have a slightly waxy feel, but are still bright green.

The more you pick, the more the plant will produce. Use two hands to harvest—one to hold the vine and one to pinch off the pod—to avoid damaging the plant.

Tips for Extended Harvest

To make the most of Florida’s cool season, try these strategies:

Succession Planting: Sow a new batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks during your planting window. This staggers your harvest.
Shade Cloth: As spring warms up, use a 30-40% shade cloth to protect plants from intense afternoon sun, extending production by a few weeks.
Container Growing: Peas do well in deep pots. You can move them to a shadier spot as temperatures rise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you plant peas in the spring in Florida?

In most of Florida, spring planting is very challenging. The plants quickly encounter heat that causes them to stop flowering and producing. In North Florida, a very early spring planting in February might work, but fall is much more reliable.

What is the best month to plant peas in Central Florida?

October and November are generally the best months to plant peas in Central Florida. This gives plants time to mature during the coolest part of the year.

How late can you plant peas?

Your latest planting date depends on your zone. A good rule is to plant so that harvest concludes by early May at the latest. Count back the “days to maturity” on your seed packet from your area’s average last spring frost date to find your personal deadline.

Do peas need full sun in Florida?

Yes, they need full sun for best pod production. However, in warmer parts of the state, they can benefit from a little afternoon shade, especially as the season progresses.

Why are my pea plants flowering but not producing pods?

This is almost always caused by temperatures that are too high. Nighttime temperatures above 70°F and daytime temps above 85°F can cause flowers to drop without forming pods. It’s a sign you planted a bit too late in the season.

By following this optimal planting season guide, you can enjoy a plentiful harvest of sweet, homegrown peas. The key is respecting their need for cool weather and working with, not against, Florida’s unique seasonal rhythms. With the right timing and care, you’ll be picking fresh peas from your own garden in no time.