When to Plant Pea in Vermont
Direct Sow Outdoors
Sunday, March 29, 2026
State
Vermont
USDA Zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a
Avg Last Frost
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Cities Covered
285
Vermont Planting Schedule by Zone
Vermont spans 5 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|
| 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
🌿 About Pea
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Growing Pea in Vermont: Complete Guide
Pea (Pisum sativum) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Vermont, the right time to direct sow is around Sunday, March 29, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.
Because Vermont stretches across 5 USDA hardiness zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.
With 60 days to maturity, Pea fits comfortably within Vermont's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.
Pea requires full sun to partial shade and regular (1 inch/week) moisture. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.
For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Vermont.
Growing Pea in Vermont: Local Tips
Climate-specific advice for Vermont gardeners.
Plant on St. Patrick's Day
The traditional March 17 planting date works well across most of the Northeast; peas germinate in 40°F soil and withstand light frost, making early spring planting not just possible but optimal.
Fall peas often fail
Unlike some cool-season crops, peas started in August for fall harvest rarely succeed in the Northeast; hot August soil inhibits germination, and plants mature as days get too short.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pea in Vermont?
In Vermont, direct sow Pea outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026. Vermont spans zones 4a–6a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.
What is the last frost date in Vermont?
Vermont spans 5 USDA zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), so last frost dates vary by region. Derby, Derby Line, East Charleston (4a) sees frost until around Friday, May 15, 2026, while Brattleboro (6a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Pea take to grow in Vermont?
Pea takes about 60 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In Vermont's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.
What USDA zones does Vermont cover for Pea?
Vermont includes zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Pea grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.
When to Plant Pea by City in Vermont
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamant | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Albany | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Alburg | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Arlington | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Ascutney | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Averill | 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Bakersfield | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Barnard | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Barnet | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Barre | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Barton | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Beebe Plain | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Beecher Falls | 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Bellows Falls | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Belmont | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Belvidere Center | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bennington | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Benson | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bethel | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bomoseen | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bondville | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bradford | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Brandon | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Brattleboro | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Bridgewater | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bridgewater Corners | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bridport | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Bristol | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Brookfield | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Brownsville | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Burlington | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Cabot | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Calais | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Cambridge | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Cambridgeport | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Canaan | 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Castleton | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Cavendish | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Center Rutland | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Charlotte | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Chelsea | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Chester | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Chittenden | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Colchester | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Concord | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Corinth | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Coventry | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Craftsbury | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Craftsbury Common | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Cuttingsville | 5b | Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
| Danby | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Danville | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| Derby | 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Derby Line | 4a | Friday, May 15, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Dorset | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| East Arlington | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| East Barre | 5a | Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| East Berkshire | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| East Burke | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
| East Calais | 4b | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
Showing 60 of 285 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.