When to plant Peas in Subtropical Australia
Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.
Peas go in direct from April through July, timed for the cool, dry heart of the subtropical winter. They're frost-hardy and actively prefer the chill, which is why they fail in the humid warmth of a Brisbane summer and shine from autumn onward. Seed sprouts in 7 to 14 days in cooling soil, but be patient for the crop — peas are slow here, taking 84 to 126 days from sowing to a full pick. Sow deep, 30–50 mm down, and space plants 15–20 cm apart. Even low bush types crop better with a few twiggy sticks to lean on.
Sowing calendar — subtropical zone
Green months are your sowing window: April to July.
Growing notes
Peas are a winter crop through and through in the subtropics. Sown in the April-to-July window they grow through the driest, mildest part of the year and dodge the humidity that ruins them. Push the window too late toward August and warming days bring on powdery mildew and cut the crop short, so an early to mid-autumn start gives the longest run.
Powdery mildew is the near-inevitable end-of-season problem: a white, dusty coating on leaves and pods as the weather warms. Choose mildew-resistant varieties, space rows for airflow, water at the base rather than over the tops, and accept that the crop will wind down as spring approaches.
Peas like a sweet, limed soil that isn't too rich in nitrogen, since they fix their own, and they want steady but never waterlogged moisture. Don't presoak the seed; sown into moist autumn soil it strikes cleanly, whereas soaked seed sitting in a wet bed tends to rot. Keep alliums well away, provide support early so tendrils have something to grab, and pick regularly once pods fill, because leaving them to fatten and dry tells the plant to stop producing.
Peas at a glance
| Sowing depth | 30-50 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 15-20 cm |
| Row spacing | 50 cm |
| Germination | 7-14 days |
| Days to maturity | 84-126 days |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy |
| Method | Sow Direct |
Companion planting
Grows well with
Carrot: Peas fix nitrogen that benefits carrots; good space use
Lettuce: Peas fix nitrogen for lettuce; provide light shade in summer
Mint: Deters aphids and pea moth
Keep away from
Garlic: Alliums inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume roots
Onion: Alliums inhibit legume growth
Onion: Alliums inhibit legume growth
Common questions
- When is the right time to plant peas in the subtropics?
- Sow direct from April to July, through the cool, dry winter. Peas prefer the chill and struggle in the summer humidity.
- Why do my pea plants get a white powdery coating?
- That is powdery mildew, which arrives as the weather warms toward spring. Grow resistant varieties, water at the base, keep good airflow, and sow early so the crop finishes before it takes hold.
- Do I need to soak pea seeds before sowing?
- No. Sow the seed dry into moist autumn soil, where it germinates reliably. Presoaked seed in a wet bed is prone to rotting.
- How long do peas take to produce in a subtropical garden?
- They are slow, taking roughly 84 to 126 days from sowing to a full harvest, so sow early in the window to make the most of the cool season.
Track peas in your garden — sow dates, harvest countdowns, reminders. Free.
Add to my garden