I think this is normal for MD. Maybe it's the heavy clay soil. Theoretically it's warm enough to plant in early March here, but mine never get going as fast as I expect them to. I've been wondering about pH, which is on the acid side here. The bacteria in legume inoculant don't do well in acid soil (say below 6.5).

I can't figure out peas either even though I try every year. I'm in southern Carroll Co. I did not use innoculant this year and got a poor (75%) germination rate. Some took over 3 weeks to germinate. I think I planted a few days before you and they are about 5 inches tall. I have very good amended soil.

In years past, they didn't really start growing until May and then the heat fries them by the end of the month. We don't get a ton of peas, enough for some soup and as a veggie a few nights. The kids eat most of them raw from the garden.

How deep did you plant? I followed the directions on the packages which said 1 inch. I might try planting them about 1/2-inch deep next year??

I live in Chevy Chase, have my peas in raised beds with very good soil and mine are also only about 6 inches tall -- I planted around St. Pattick's day. I think maureeninmd is correct, they probably will not take off for a week or more.

My peas went from 3" to 6" in 1 weeks time. I bet yours will start taking off soon! I'm south of Baltimore and planted mine in early March too.

Same here, it's a race against the heat. Mine went in President's Day, did nothing for a few weeks and have just started to put on growth. Peas are tricky. The batches of seeds I presoaked came up much faster than those I didn't. Also, agree about planting less deeply than an inch. Mine are about 12 inches tall but NO blooms. I fear it's a lost battle.

This time last year I had two foot tall plants and some flowers. This year, my early planting was a near complete loss. My late planting is maybe 8" tall. They are growing fast, but I will be surprised if I get more than one picking before they crash.