When to plant peas in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant peas shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about November 17 in San Mateo to April 28 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | November 21 – December 19 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | November 25 – December 23 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | November 21 – December 19 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | November 18 – December 16 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 3 – December 31 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 1 – December 29 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | November 28 – December 26 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | November 26 – December 24 |
Peas in California: FAQ
When can I plant peas in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow peas spans roughly November 17 in San Mateo to April 28 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the peas planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right peas planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does peas take to grow in California?
Peas takes about 55–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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