Optimal soil temperature for germination is 40-80 degrees F. Realistically for me that means as soon as the soil is all the way thawed for the year I can plant since the sun warms the top layer even as deep frost is still in my garden. I always prepare my pea bed in the fall so that I can plant before the soil is really workable, since often the soil is still too wet to be tilled or spaded in the spring. I've had snowfalls after I've planted my peas in some years, and they've still germinated. I often get them planted during the first third of April, and I don't know if they are earlier than ones planted a bit later since I am often not able to find time to plant in late April or May. I also just love to get outside and plant something after a long winter! I'm a fair amount north of you so probably someone closer can give you a more specific time.

Every gardener I've ever known around here has a saying that goes roughly "Plant your peas on St. Patrick's Day" - so your post has perfect timing, leftycatcher!!

The very first time I ever planted peas, I did it within a few days of St. Pat's Day, and had good germination. That was 3 years ago. The last two years I've winter-sown my peas, so they are usually out earlier.

This year, I'm very far behind in my winter-sowing, and have not done any veggies yet (except a tray of lettuce.) As a matter of fact, I was just debating with myself earlier today whether to bother winter-sowing the peas or if I should just direct sow them this year. Still undecided, but by the time I get around to it anyway, I may just direct sow!

:)
Dee

"I always prepare my pea bed in the fall so that I can plant before the soil is really workable, since often the soil is still too wet to be tilled or spaded in the spring. "

nh - How do you prepare pea bed in the fall? Do you mean by inserting climbing structure?

Dee - Yesterday a woman quoted me that very saying, but as she was originally from NY, I didn't know if it was applicable to MA.

I've only grown peas once, last year, and planted seeds directly into ground in mid spring. What is winter sowing?

I''ll probably be direct sowing my peas today!

leftycatcher - There's an entire forum at GW devoted to Winter Sowing. Some of us are positively addicted to our success. Be sure to go to the FAQ linked at the top of the forum first.

Deb

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing Forum

Leftycatcher -

I just make sure that any leaves & plant debris are gone and the soil is leveled so that all I have to do is poke the peas down into the soil. By the time I need support for the pea plants the bed is plenty dry enough so that I don't have to worry about damaging soil structure.

Thanks for all the replies.

nhbabs - I did that in the fall. I also amended the soil over the course of the winter, adding composted horse manure, coffee grounds and egg shells a la lasagna bed.

Thanks for the link, cloud9 - I'm planning to direct sow this wknd.