Growing Peas

Pisum sativum : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S S S S      
      T T T T T T T    
      P P P P P P      

(Best months for growing Peas in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 5 - 8 cm apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Pick the pods every day to increase production.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Potatoes

Your comments and tips

13 Jun 18, Vishal (Australia - tropical climate)
i live in Darwin, i'm looking for a produce making plant that i can plant in full sun straight into the ground. Darwin sun is harsh and easil >8hrs per day of sunshine in dry season. i'm finding it impossible to get pigeon peas and the nurseries here are rubbish for edible stuffs. anything i can just get from woolies/coles and propagate/grow? sorry if the question is really particular, but i'd hate to just have a garden growing stuff to just stare at and i'm lucky enough to have a great garden. thanks heaps in advance
30 Jun 18, Peter (Ex Darwin) (Australia - temperate climate)
Vishal Darwin "Summer" is the Dry season. Plant once the Knock-em-downs are finished the make the best use of moist soil before the furnace switches on! Only plant tropical plants (Paw-paw etc) at the start of the Wet
14 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet for pigeon pea seeds or any other seeds you want. In Darwin you probably have a limited time to grow things - too hot, wet and windy. Set this web page to Tropical climate zone and go through the different vegies you might like to grow. See when is the best time to plant them - probably in the autumn. Do a lot of research and reading.
23 Feb 18, Frank save (Australia - temperate climate)
hi I like to point out that temperate does not cover Sydney near airport, it should be called warm temperate, it makes a big difference, quoting suburbs also gives people an idea what will grow where,thank you
02 Apr 18, matt (Australia - temperate climate)
You're kidding right Frank? Near Sydney airport is neither sub-tropical, nor cool/mountain. Temperate covers a lot of the Sydney basin just fine, and the rest comes down to your aspect and nuances of where you live.
26 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have one website saying sub-tropical is all the way down to Sydney and another saying it stops just over the northern NSW border. Websites are only a guide.
18 Aug 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mike, yes. I was lead to believe that subtropical was from midway between Mackay and Rockhampton and extended into Nrthn NSW. However, as you say, 'Websites are only a guide', which is why I planted some things out of season (according to packets). For example, some people said eggplant won't grow here. It does.
08 Feb 18, Robbie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I buy the bulk dried peas pod in Melbourne area? Any body can help? Thank you for ur help Best regards. Robbie
09 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A very open question. Do you want the pod or the seeds. If the pods - good luck with that. If seeds -- dried seeds for what - eat or plant. Bulk - 250 g 400g or 10 kilo. A company in Tasmania called southern harvest on the internet sells in lots up to 400gms. 400gms costs from $8 to $17 depending on which pea seed. You could contact them to see if they sell 1 kg or whatever yo are after. Otherwise jump on the internet and start searching for Melbourne suppliers if it has to be Melbourne.
08 May 18, Esther (Australia - temperate climate)
Kane Fleming in Camperdown, Victoria sells them for 20kg for $16. They are edible field peas and good for green manure. You can find him on Facebook or through My veg garden Warrnambool FB group.
Showing 51 - 60 of 120 comments

I would look at the ph level (acidity /alkalinity) of the soil. Peas like soil on the alkaline side which is why they say to put some lime in the soil before planting. A little ph test kit is a good investment and can save you a lot of disappointment and money from plants dropping dead because the soil is wrong for them. Garden veg also need good drainage. If soil is a bit boggy, hill it up and plant in the higher part.

- Anne

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.