SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Spring

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Spring to a garden.

Sweet, garden-fresh peas burst with a bright, spring-green flavor and a tender, snap-worthy bite that feels almost luminous in the pod.

“Spring” is a shelling pea bred for dependable, home-garden yield—pods fill out cleanly and hold their sweetness through cool-season growing. Grow it for generous bowls of shelled peas to showcase their delicate texture in simple, vibrant preparations and classic seasonal favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Spring

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Spring Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone Start Indoors Sow / Transplant Harvest
Zone 1a Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b Direct Sow Jun 1st Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a Direct Sow May 25th Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b Direct Sow May 15th Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b Direct Sow May 19th Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Direct Sow May 13th Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Direct Sow May 8th Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Direct Sow May 4th Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Direct Sow May 1st Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Direct Sow Apr 25th Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Direct Sow Apr 20th Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Direct Sow Apr 10th Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Direct Sow Apr 1st May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Direct Sow Mar 23rd May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Direct Sow Mar 6th May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Direct Sow Feb 9th Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity60
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededTrellis
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)45
Min Soil Temp (°F)45
Min Night Temp (°F)32
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

“Spring” shelling peas are at their best when treated like green candy—blanch fast, then stop the cooking so the pods’ sweet, starchy creaminess stays intact instead of turning starchy. Their snap and delicate grassiness love butter and lemon, and they hold their own through short sautéing and fast-fold cooking.

Best Uses

  • quick-blanched shelled peas with butter and flaky salt
  • sautéing just to heat through for a glossy, not-mushy texture
  • folding into spring risotto or pasta for a gentle, sweet base
  • chilled pea salad with lemony dressing to keep them crisp

Flavor Profile

sweet, bright sugar-pea flavor tender snap with a creamy, starchy pop clean, lightly grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

unsalted butter lemon fresh mint parmesan shallot prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions


What pest or disease commonly affects Pisum sativum (garden pea) and how can I manage it?
Watch for powdery mildew and pea aphids; they’re common on pea foliage, especially when plants are crowded. For mildew, improve airflow by spacing plants and removing badly infected leaves, then spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate as labeled. For aphids, knock them off with a strong water jet and apply insecticidal soap if numbers are increasing—avoid heavy nitrogen feeds that make aphids more successful.
How often should I water Pisum sativum during its main growing phase?
During flowering and pod fill, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water at the base in the morning so foliage dries quickly, and use a finger test: the top 1 inch (2–2.5 cm) should stay moist as pods develop. In dry spells, reduce stress by watering deeply 2–3 times per week rather than small, frequent splashes.
How do I know when my Pisum sativum is ready to harvest?
Harvest most pea pods when they are fully formed but still tender: the peas inside should be plump and the pods should snap easily, usually about 60 days from sowing depending on conditions. Pick every 1–2 days once plants start producing, because leaving mature pods on the plant slows new pod formation. If pods look dull and the peas bulge hard, they’re past peak sweetness for fresh eating.