📍 Washington, DC · Zone 7b · Last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026
✏️ ChangeWhen to Plant Pea in Washington, District of Columbia (20004)
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
ZIP Code
20004
USDA Zone
7b
Last Frost
Sunday, April 5, 2026
📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates
Direct Sow Outdoors
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Based on last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026 · Zone 7b
Pro tip: Sow Pea directly outdoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.
🌿 Plant Details
☀️ Growing Requirements
☀️
Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
💧
Water
Regular (1 inch/week)
↔️
Spacing
3" apart
🌱
Planting Depth
1" deep
Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days
Ready to Plant Pea in Washington?
Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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🤝 Good Companions
⚠️ Avoid Planting Near
Full Companion Planting Guide for Pea
See which plants help Pea thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →
🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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Common Pea Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Oregon Sugar Pod
Flat snow pea with sweet, edible pods; the standard snow pea for home gardens.
Sugar Snap
The original snap pea; thick, crunchy pods with round peas inside — best eaten fresh.
Lincoln
Shelling pea with outstanding sweet flavor; best picked young when peas fill the pod.
Wando
Heat-tolerant shelling pea that produces longer into warm weather than other varieties.
Common Pea Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Large, bright green aphids transmit pea enation mosaic virus and pea mosaic virus; can collapse entire plants.
Spray with insecticidal soap; plant resistant varieties; control ants that farm aphid colonies.
Larvae feed inside developing pods, ruining shelling peas; fine entry holes visible on pods.
Use row covers from flowering; choose early varieties that finish before peak moth flight.
Rasp flower petals and pods causing "silvering"; transmit tomato spotted wilt virus.
Apply spinosad; use blue sticky traps; avoid dusty conditions.
Diseases
White coating on leaves and pods; inevitable in most gardens in warm weather — accelerates end-of-season decline.
Plant early to avoid heat; choose resistant varieties; apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate.
Soil-borne fungus causing yellowing from the bottom up; plants die rapidly.
Rotate crops every 4+ years; plant resistant varieties; improve drainage.
Seedlings collapse at the soil line in cold, wet spring soil.
Improve drainage; use raised beds; plant treated or pelleted seed.
Common Mistakes
Peas are a cool-season crop that fail in heat; most gardeners plant 2–4 weeks too late.
Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring — 6 weeks before last frost is not too early.
Climbing varieties left unsupported tangle and mat on the ground, promoting disease.
Install a trellis, netting, or brush at planting — before peas need it.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟢 EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Let pods dry completely on the vine — they'll turn yellow then tan-brown.
Processing
Shell dried pods, lay seeds flat for 1 week to complete drying.
Seed Viability
Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Peas self-pollinate inside the closed flower bud before opening — excellent for variety purity.
Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 16 per sq ft of Pea. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pea in Washington, District of Columbia? +
In Washington (Zone 7b), direct sow Pea outdoors around Sunday, February 22, 2026.
What is the last frost date for Washington, District of Columbia? +
The average last spring frost date for Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20004) is around Sunday, April 5, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7b.
How long does Pea take to grow? +
Pea typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Washington, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, February 22, 2026 plus 60 days.
Should I start Pea indoors or direct sow in District of Columbia? +
Pea does best when direct sown outdoors. In Washington, sow directly around Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Other Plants for Washington
Growing Pea in Zone 7b
Pea (Pisum sativum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Your average last frost date is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Pea grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.