Peas are the sweetest crop you can grow in a Zone 10 winter: while northern gardeners are waiting for spring, Zone 10 gardeners are picking sugar snaps in January. Peas are a cool-season legume, and in Zone 10 their season is autumn, winter and early spring — not summer, when they stop setting pods and fade fast.
That is the key point to understand. Peas sown in a Zone 10 summer will grow, but they will not crop well. Peas sown in November will give you months of sweet pods.
Zone 10 at a glance
USDA Zone 10 covers the warmest parts of the United States, including southern Florida, southern coastal California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Winters are very mild, with average winter lows of 30 to 40°F, frost is rare, and the growing season runs nearly all year.
The average last spring frost is Jan 15–30 (frost rare) and the average first autumn frost is Dec 15–31 (frost rare) — USDA/NOAA averages, not exact dates, so check your local extension service before planting.
| Detail | Zone 10 guidance |
|---|---|
| Average winter low | 30 to 40°F |
| Average last spring frost | Jan 15–30 (frost rare) |
| Average first autumn frost | Dec 15–31 (frost rare) |
| Days to germination | 7–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 60–70 days |
| Sowing | direct sow |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Spacing | 2–3 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
When to plant peas in Zone 10
Sow peas in Zone 10 in autumn and winter, from November through February, for harvests through the cool months. Seeds germinate in 7–14 days and pods mature in 60–70 days, so a November sowing is picking by January, and a February sowing is ready by April. The average last spring frost in Zone 10 is Jan 15–30, with frost rare, and the average first autumn frost is Dec 15–31, with frost rare — those are USDA zone averages, not exact dates for any one garden, so always check your local extension service for your own frost dates. Peas are hardy and tolerate light frost, which is exactly why the winter sowing works so well. Avoid sowing from April through October: the heat makes plants stop setting pods, and the crop will be poor and short-lived.
Work back from the frost dates: the planting calendar hub and the December in Zone 10 month guide show what else is happening at planting time.
Starting peas in Zone 10
Direct-sow peas where they are to grow — they dislike transplanting and do far better sown in place. Sow seed an inch deep, spacing them 2–3 inches apart in rows, and give them a support from the very start: twiggy sticks, a trellis or netting for the tendrils to grip. Seedlings appear in 7–14 days; thin them if they are crowded, and water them in well. Do not soak pea seed before sowing — it can rot in wet soil. Sow in succession every two to three weeks for a continuous supply.
See also when to plant peas in Zone 8 for the same crop in a cooler zone.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Peas need full sun and average, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Dig in well-rotted compost before sowing, but do not over-feed — peas fix their own nitrogen from the air, and too much fertiliser produces leaves instead of pods. Space plants 2–3 inches apart along their support. Water needs are moderate: keep the soil evenly moist, especially while plants are flowering and pods are swelling, because dry soil causes flowers to drop and pods to go tough. Mulch to hold moisture and keep roots cool, and water at the base in the morning. The seed spacing calculator can help you plan the bed before you plant.
Companion planting
Good companions for peas include marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce. Marigolds at the bed edge attract beneficial insects, lettuce fills the gaps between young plants, and onions are said to deter pests. Green beans are another Zone 10 legume, though they are a warm-season crop with the opposite season, and our guide to when to plant green beans in Zone 10 shows how the two legumes divide the year between them. Avoid planting peas where peas or beans grew last year, and keep them away from onions and garlic in the same bed, which are said to stunt them. The companion planting finder can suggest combinations for your whole bed.
Pests and problems
The common pests to watch for with peas are aphids, bean beetles, slugs and cutworms. Aphids cluster on buds and young shoots — wash them off with a strong jet of water and encourage ladybirds. Bean beetles chew the leaves and pods; hand-pick them and check leaf undersides for eggs. Slugs nibble young seedlings, especially after rain; hand-pick them after dark and keep mulch pulled back from the stems. Cutworms can sever young stems at soil level overnight; a cardboard collar around each seedling stops them. Inspect plants regularly and act early — healthy, well-spaced plants resist pests better than stressed ones.
Harvest and storage
Peas take 60–70 days to maturity from sowing, so Zone 10 autumn plants sown in November are picking by January and keep going through spring. Pick pods when they are young, plump and sweet — sugar snaps when the pods are full but the peas inside are still small, shelling peas when the pods are swollen and the peas are round. Pick in the morning, when pods are cool and crisp, and pick little and often, every day or two in peak season: regular picking keeps the plant producing, while pods left to mature will slow the whole plant down. Eat peas the same day if you can — their sweetness fades fast after picking.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant peas in Zone 10?
Sow in autumn and winter, from November through February. Seeds germinate in 7–14 days and pods mature in 60–70 days. Avoid sowing from April through October — heat stops peas setting pods.
Why are my peas not setting pods?
Usually heat — peas are a cool-season crop, and warm weather makes flowers drop without setting. In Zone 10, grow peas in the cool months, keep the soil evenly moist, and give plants a support from the start.
Do peas need a support?
Yes — peas climb by tendrils and need twiggy sticks, a trellis or netting to grip. Give them support from the very start, since a pea with nothing to climb will tangle itself into a knot.