When to Plant Sweet Pea in USDA Zone 2b
June in the garden — Zone 2b
Each item below is timed to Zone 2b's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
Get your free Zone 2b 2026 Planting Guide →Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are beloved cool-season climbing annuals grown primarily for their intensely fragrant, ruffled blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. They thrive in cool spring conditions, climbing trellises to 4–6 feet, and make outstanding cut flowers. Bloom ceases once summer heat arrives, making early sowing critical for a long cutting season.
In Zone 2b, the average last spring frost is around May 22 and the first fall frost is around September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.
Sweet Pea Planting Timeline — Zone 2b
Where Is USDA Zone 2b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 2b. Click any state to see the Sweet Pea planting schedule for that location.
Sweet Pea Planting Calendar — Zone 2b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Bloom | August 14 | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 2b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 2b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
65–85 days
Soil pH
7 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
-45°F to -40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
111 days (Zone 2b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Sweet Pea in Zone 2b
Zone 2b has a short growing season (~111 days). Start Sweet Pea indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Soak seeds 24 hours before sowing to soften the hard seed coat; nick the seed coat with a file for the fastest germination. In cold zones (2–6), direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked, 4–6 weeks before last frost; seedlings tolerate light frost but not a hard freeze. In zones 7–9, fall-sow 8–10 weeks before first frost for earlier, stronger spring bloom. Provide a trellis or netting from the start. Feed with low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer once buds form. Pick blooms regularly — even one mature seed pod stops flower production. All plant parts are mildly toxic if eaten.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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Saving Sweet Pea Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.
Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.
Related Plants
Sweet Pea in Other Zones
Sweet Pea by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Pea in Zone 2b?
In Zone 2b, plan your Sweet Pea planting around the average last frost date of May 22. Start seeds indoors around March 27. Direct sow outdoors around April 24. Transplant seedlings around May 22.
Can Sweet Pea grow in Zone 2b?
Yes, Sweet Pea can grow well in Zone 2b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 9b. Zone 2b has a growing season of approximately 111 days, which is sufficient for Sweet Pea (65-85 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sweet Pea in Zone 2b?
In Zone 2b, expect to harvest Sweet Pea from August 14 – September 18. Sweet Pea takes 65-85 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 2b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 2b is around May 22, and the first fall frost is around September 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 111 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Sweet Pea?
Good companion plants for Sweet Pea include Larkspur, Foxglove, Snapdragon, Dianthus. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 2b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 2b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.