I am near Indianapolis and I planted my peas last year on March 22 and they did great. According to the local (Purdue) horticulture website, planting time for peas in our area begins March 20. Yesterday I went out and dug up the area where I will plant the peas this year. This weekend I will fix the trellises I built last year and stored in the barn over the winter. I plan to plant on March 20. I know the original poster is in Maine but is also in zone 5. I would check your local horticulture office and see what they recommend for your area. Peas are a cool weather crop. They are one of the few things that can handle weather that is still on the cool side.

Thawk, You have radishes and beets up already? That is awesome. When did you plant them? Maude, We have 5 big gardens (not enough LOL) so hand spading is out of the question. Besides hubby dearly loves getting out there with his tractor and plow/disk. Actually had an extension agent tell us that we wouldn't have much trouble with - oh, what is the name of that stuff tomatoes got so bad last year, wilt?, - staying in the ground because we fall plow. There is something to it, as he was also surprised that we could raise canteloupe. Good rotation practices and fall plowing must be the keys. You are so right about the hard pan. Brother in law had a farmer come in and chisel-plow his garden spot. We don't seem to have much trouble, rarely ever water anything either. Need to get to Chamness in Eddyville and get some more of their inexpensive compost. Black Gold :) Do you have a heat source in your greenhouse? Hubby is in the process of building one, 6'x8'. And please tell me more about growing sweet potatoes...I have developed a taste for them, but have never grown them. Do they get planted in early spring too? SOS

I soaked mine in tepid water till they puffed up, then drained the water off, leaving the peas very wet, covered them and let them sit a day. There was a very strong odor when I opened them. Planted the peas in rows 2 inches apart and two inches apart in the row and they came up a lot faster for me.

I live in north texas. My first frost date is nov 16. I will be planting peas soon. I was going to plant today, but it rained. I have selected bush plants that mature sooner. Hopefully, I will get some peas before frost. Last year I planted late due to seeds arriving late. I planted in oct. I did not get peas in the fall, but the plants survived the winter to make peas in the spring. This is my 2nd year gardening, so I am no expert. I think the best thing to do is give it a shot. If you do not want to waste seeds, plant 5 seeds to see what happens. If it is a flop, not much has been lost. I am deffinately in the experimental stage now. I plant on different dates, and locations to see what turns out best. This is my first real year gardening. Last year I just planted winter squash (well not counting the fall peas). I am beginning to learn, not much does well in spring here. It matures to burn up before producing anything. Everything I planted in the summer and late spring, had to be watered everyday, due to 110 degree temps. The plants I planted this summer and never got very big due to the stress, are taking off now that the temps have dropped to 80's and it has been raining. Ok, I am rambling. Mary