Georgia planting calendar

When to plant peas in Georgia — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Georgia is mostly USDA zone 8a (range 6b-9a). Dates below are derived from peas's frost tolerance and Georgia's frost window — not generic national averages.

Peas planting timetable for Georgia

Stage	When in Georgia	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	early March (March 1)	35 days before the last frost (early April)
First harvest (estimate)	early May (May 5)	~65 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Georgia's climate shifts the peas dates

Georgia's last spring frost averages early April and first fall frost early November, which sets the whole planting clock. Georgia runs from cool mountains to a warm coastal plain, with a long humid season. Most of the state gardens in zone 8. Sow early — peas bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Peas are the classic early-spring crop — direct-sow 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost, as soon as soil can be worked. They quit producing once daytime temperatures consistently hit 24 °C, so the sooner they go in, the longer the harvest window.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before early April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Georgia

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Atlanta — USDA zone 8a
Savannah — USDA zone 9a
Augusta — USDA zone 8b
Columbus — USDA zone 8b
Macon — USDA zone 8b

What else to plant in Georgia around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun in cool weather.
Soil temperature for germination: 7-24 °C (45-75 °F).
Spacing: 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~65 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant peas in Georgia?

In Georgia (mostly USDA zone 8a), direct-sow peas early March (before the last frost, early April), and harvest from early May. Peas are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Georgia?

Most of Georgia sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a, with the state spanning roughly 6b-9a from the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) to the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a). The last spring frost averages early April and the first fall frost early November.

Can you grow peas in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia's dominant zone 8a supports peas — the key is timing. Peas are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Georgia?

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Georgia around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.