Growing peas in USDA Zone 11 means frost-free and tropical: plant by heat and the wet/dry season, not by frost dates. Peas are a cool-season crop, and in Zone 11 they are a short-season pleasure: grow them in the coolest months, enjoy the harvest, and let them go when the heat returns. Planted in summer, they flower poorly and the pods stay small. This guide covers when to plant peas in Zone 11, with the soil, spacing, sun, water and care it needs. Use the Zone 11 planting calendar to see what else to sow alongside it.
Zone 11 at a glance
USDA Zone 11 has average winter lows of 40 to 50°F and is frost-free year-round — there is no last or first frost date to plan around. Plan by heat and by the wet and dry seasons instead: heat lovers grow year-round, while cool-season crops only succeed in the coolest months. These are zone averages, not promises for any one garden, so check your local extension service for your area.
| Detail | Zone 11 guidance |
|---|---|
| Last / first frost | None — Zone 11 is frost-free year-round |
| Average winter low | 40 to 50°F |
| Days to germination | 7–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 60–70 days |
| Sowing | Direct sow in warm soil |
| Transplanting / planting out | Year-round (frost-free); best results in the planting window above |
| Harvest | Harvest 60–70 days after sowing/transplanting; pick regularly |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Spacing | 2–3 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant peas in Zone 11
In Zone 11, sow peas only in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no frost to work around — heat is the limit instead. Sow a batch early in the cool season and another a few weeks later to stretch the harvest. Peas take 60–70 days to maturity. Check your local extension service for the coolest planting windows in your area. If you are unsure of your own dates, the seed-starting calculator will help you work the timing out. Frost dates are zone averages — check your local extension service before you commit to a date.
Starting peas in Zone 11
Peas are direct sown and dislike being transplanted. Sow seed about an inch deep in drills, and put the support in place at sowing time — twiggy sticks, netting or a low trellis, depending on the variety. Seeds germinate in 7–14 days. Space plants 2–3 inches apart along the row.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Peas want full sun in cool weather, with rich, moisture-holding soil and a pH of 6.0–7.5. Dig in compost before sowing, but do not over-feed with nitrogen — as legumes, peas make some of their own. Mulch to keep the roots cool as the season warms. Peas need moderate water, kept even. Water at the base in the morning, keep the soil moist while plants are flowering and pods are filling, and mulch to hold moisture in. Dry soil while pods are filling gives small, starchy peas.
Companion planting
Good companions for peas include marigolds, basil, onions, lettuce. The companion planting finder can suggest combinations for your whole bed. Do not plant peas where other legumes grew last year, and keep them away from onions and garlic, which can stunt them. Good companions include marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce in small amounts.
Pests and problems
The common pests and problems to watch for with peas are aphids, bean beetles, slugs, cutworms. Aphids cluster on shoot tips and young pods and are the main pest, especially as weather warms. Bean beetles chew leaves, slugs take seedlings, and cutworms can sever stems. Inspect plants when you pick, wash aphids off with water, and protect young plants until established.
Harvest and storage
Peas are ready 60–70 days after sowing. Pick pods when they are full but the peas inside are still tender and sweet — taste one before picking the row. Pick regularly, since plants stop producing once pods are left to mature, and pick in the cool of the morning. Eat peas fresh on the day you pick them for the best flavour, or shell and freeze them the same day. They lose sweetness quickly once picked, so do not leave them in the fridge for days.
Making the most of Zone 11
Zone 11 peas are a cool-season crop, so treat them as a winter project: sow in the coolest months, give them support and steady water, and enjoy them while they last. When the heat returns, pull the plants and use the bed for a warm-season crop. Related reading: Green Beans in Zone 11 and December in Zone 11. For how the same crop behaves one zone colder, see Peas in Zone 9.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant peas in Zone 11?
In Zone 11, sow peas only in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Check your local extension service — these are zone averages, not exact dates for your garden.
How long do peas take to grow in Zone 11?
Seeds germinate in 7–14 days, and the crop takes 60–70 days to maturity. In Zone 11, allow the longer end of the range if conditions are cool or dry at sowing time.
Why do my peas flower but not set pods in Zone 11?
Peas set pods poorly when temperatures rise, so in Zone 11 they should be sown only in the coolest months, roughly December to February, with steady water, and plants sown late will flower but give few pods.
What soil and spacing do peas need in Zone 11?
Peas need full sun and soil pH 6.0–7.5, spaced 2–3 inches apart. Dig in well-rotted compost, water deeply, mulch, and test your soil through your local extension service.