When to Plant Sweet Pea in Lake Charles, Louisiana (70607)

Location

Lake Charles, Louisiana

ZIP Code

70607

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b

Pro tip: Sow Sweet Pea directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Lathyrus odoratus

Days to Maturity 65 days

Mature Height 48-72"

Spread 8"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 10-21 days

Ready to Plant Sweet Pea in Lake Charles?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CarrotRadishSpinach

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

OnionGarlic

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Sweet Pea

See which plants help Sweet Pea thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow seed pods to dry and turn tan on the vine. Pick before they pop open and throw seeds.

Processing

Shell dried pods, spread seeds to dry 1 week before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Sweet peas are self-pollinating before flowers open — excellent for keeping varieties pure.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Sweet Pea. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Pea in Lake Charles, Louisiana? +

In Lake Charles (Zone 9b), direct sow Sweet Pea outdoors around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Lake Charles, Louisiana? +

The average last spring frost date for Lake Charles, Louisiana (ZIP 70607) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.

How long does Sweet Pea take to grow? +

Sweet Pea typically matures in about 65 days from direct sowing. In Lake Charles, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, January 13, 2026 plus 65 days.

Should I start Sweet Pea indoors or direct sow in Louisiana? +

Sweet Pea does best when direct sown outdoors. In Lake Charles, sow directly around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

📚 More Sweet Pea Planting Guides

🗺️

Sweet Pea in Louisiana

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9b Sweet Pea Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Lake Charles

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Sweet Pea in Zone 9b

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Lake Charles, Louisiana, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should direct sow seeds around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Sweet Pea grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.