Fresh peas eaten straight from the pod are one of the great pleasures of the UK kitchen garden — and with the right timing and variety, you can harvest from May right through to September.
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I’ve been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I’ve actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
When to Sow Peas in the UK
Peas can be sown from October to November (hardier varieties for overwintering) or from February to June outdoors. The RHS recommends successional sowing every 3–4 weeks from March through June for a continuous harvest from May to September. Avoid sowing in mid-summer heat when germination is poor.
UK Sowing & Harvest Calendar
| Sowing Period | Variety Type | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Hardy overwintering (e.g. Douce Provence) | May–June |
| February–March (under cover) | First early varieties | May–June |
| March–April (outdoors) | First early, second early | June–July |
| May–June (outdoors) | Maincrop | July–September |
Sowing and Support
Sow seeds 2.5–5cm deep and 5–10cm apart in double rows 15–20cm apart. Peas need support from an early stage — even dwarf varieties benefit from twiggy sticks or a short net. Taller maincrop varieties need netting or canes up to 1.5m high. Erect supports at sowing time to avoid disturbing roots later.
Top UK Varieties
Kelvedon Wonder
The most popular UK garden pea. Early, compact (45cm), excellent flavour. Suitable for first and second sowings. AGM winner.
Hurst Green Shaft
Reliable maincrop with large pods of 9–11 peas. Tall (75cm), needs support. Heavy cropper, excellent flavour.
Oregon Sugar Pod
Flat, stringless mangetout pods harvested before the peas develop. Tall grower (1.5m), very productive.
Sugar Snap
Round, crunchy pods eaten whole. Sweeter than mangetout. Tall (1.5m), needs strong support. Excellent for snacking.
Harvesting Peas
Pick peas when pods are well-filled but before they become starchy. Check every 2–3 days once pods start to form — they move from perfect to overripe quickly in warm weather. Picking regularly encourages the plant to continue producing. For mangetout, harvest when pods are flat and the peas just beginning to show. For sugar snaps, harvest when pods are round and crisp.
Plan Your Pea Succession
The SoilCommander UK Vegetable Garden Planner includes pea sowing schedules, variety timings, and month-by-month growing checklists.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Can I sow peas in autumn?
Yes. Hardy varieties like Douce Provence can be sown in October–November for overwintering. They provide the earliest crops of the year in May–June, but losses to wet weather and pests are higher than spring sowings.
Do peas need support?
Yes, even dwarf varieties benefit from twiggy sticks. Taller varieties (Hurst Green Shaft, Sugar Snap) need netting or canes at least 1.2–1.5m high. Erect supports at sowing time.
Why are my peas not producing pods?
Usually caused by sowing too late into warm weather, poor pollination in drought conditions, or plants stressed by underwatering. Sow in succession from March, keep soil moist, and pick regularly to encourage further production.
Browse sowing dates for all crops in the UK vegetable planting calendar or explore all UK vegetable growing guides.
Tools That Help With This Crop
Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.