Garden Pea Plants for Arizona

Selecting Pea Plants

• The type of pea plants you grow depend on your preferences. Edible podded peas, such as snow (Pisum satisum var. saccharatum) or sugar snap (Pisum satisum var. macrocarpon), black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata) or English peas (Pisum sativum) will all grow in most Arizona climate zones, as long as you plant them at the right times. In southern Arizona, plant peas in late summer so they develop through fall. Pea plants will not grow in winter in the coldest Arizona climate zones at the highest altitudes, as winter temperatures are too low.

Arizona Climate Zones

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones across Arizona vary from USDA zone 4b, with average annual extreme temperature minimums of minus 25 to minus 20 degrees degrees Fahrenheit, to up to USDA zone 10b, with an average annual minimum temperature between 35 and 40 F. The variation in hardiness zones reflects the different landscapes of Arizona, ranging from the deserts of the south to the mountainous northern areas.

Harvest

• To grow the highest quality peas, harvest them before hot spring or summer weather arrives. Seeds planted in September take 60 to 120 days to mature, while seeds planted in November take 120 to 150 days. Expect an average crop of 20 pounds of English peas and edible podded peas per 100 square feet planted and approximately 40 pounds of black-eyed peas per 100 square feet.

Growing Peas

• Peas need well-draining soil with high levels of organic matter and will tolerate partial shade. The ideal growing climate is moist, with a temperature between 60 and 65 F. Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting pea seeds at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Plant the pea seeds 2 inches deep, approximately 1 to 2 inches apart and in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart. Peas need moisture, so keep watering the plants well and fertilize again halfway through the growing season.