When to plant Pea in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow peas direct from March to July, pushing seed a generous 20–30 mm deep into cool, moist soil where they are to crop. In the subtropics around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, peas are strictly a winter crop, and this autumn-to-mid-winter window is the whole opportunity. Seed germinates in 8–16 days once soil temperatures drop. Space plants 5–10 cm apart along rows set 40–60 cm apart, and give climbing types a trellis. From sowing to picking is quick — around 65–90 days — so successive sowings keep pods coming through the cool months.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to July.

Growing notes

Peas belong to the coolest part of the subtropical calendar. Sow from autumn into mid-winter so flowering and podding happen before the humid heat returns; sow too late and rising temperatures halt flower set and the vines succumb to mildew.

That mildew is the classic subtropical failure mode. Powdery mildew coats the leaves in a white bloom during warm, muggy spells and shuts the plant down early. Keep airflow up by not overcrowding, water at the base rather than wetting the foliage, and choose mildew-resistant varieties where you can. Around Lismore and the Sunshine Coast, an early autumn start is your best defence, letting the crop finish before conditions turn against it.

Peas fix their own nitrogen, so they need little feeding — too much nitrogen gives leafy vines and few pods. Sow them into ground that drained the summer wet well, as waterlogged soil rots the seed before it sprouts. That deep 20–30 mm sowing helps anchor the seed and protect it from birds, which will happily pull up shallow-sown peas. Provide support early for climbing types so tendrils catch before the vines flop, and pick pods regularly to keep the plant producing rather than running to seed.

Pea at a glance

Common questions

When can I plant peas in Brisbane?

Sow direct from March to July, through autumn and into mid-winter. Peas need cool conditions to flower and set pods, so this is the only reliable window in the subtropics. Sowing outside it runs into heat and mildew.

Why do my peas get white powder on the leaves?

That is powdery mildew, brought on by warm, humid weather. Improve airflow by spacing plants well, water at the base to keep foliage dry, and sow early so the crop finishes before the muggy weather peaks. Mildew-resistant varieties also help.

Do peas need fertiliser?

Very little. Peas fix their own nitrogen from the air, so heavy feeding produces lots of leaf and few pods. A free-draining bed with a little compost is plenty; skip the high-nitrogen fertiliser.

How deep should I sow pea seed?

Sow peas 20–30 mm deep. This depth anchors the seedling, keeps the soil moisture steady around the seed, and helps stop birds pulling the sprouts out. Shallow-sown peas are far more likely to be lost to birds and drying out.

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