Florida’s warm climate presents unique opportunities and challenges for growing peas. Unlike cooler regions where peas thrive in spring and fall, gardeners in Florida must select varieties that can withstand heat and humidity while producing bountiful crops. Whether you are a home gardener or a commercial grower, understanding which pea varieties perform best in the Sunshine State’s subtropical environment is essential for success.
In this article, we will explore the types of peas that grow well in Florida’s warm climate, including their growth habits, planting tips, and ideal seasons for cultivation. By choosing the right pea varieties and following sound cultural practices, you can enjoy fresh, delicious peas almost year-round.
Peas are traditionally cool-season crops that prefer temperatures between 55°F and 70°F. In northern climates, peas are planted early in spring or late summer for fall harvest. However, Florida’s mild winters and hot summers require a different approach.
Most regions of Florida experience mild winters with daytime highs ranging from the upper 60s to mid-70s (°F), which offers an excellent window for growing cool-season crops like peas. Conversely, summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 85°F or more. High heat accelerates flowering and pod formation but can reduce pod quality and yield if temperatures stay consistently high.
Therefore, selecting heat-tolerant pea varieties and planting during appropriate seasons is critical to maximize pea production in Florida.
There are three main types of peas grown worldwide: shelling (garden) peas, snap peas, and snow peas. Each type has unique characteristics that influence how well they perform in Florida’s environment.
Shelling peas are the traditional peas harvested for their sweet seeds inside the pods. The pods are fibrous and discarded after shelling. These peas usually require cooler weather and may struggle in intense heat but certain varieties have proven adaptable to Florida’s climate when planted correctly.
Recommended Shelling Pea Varieties for Florida:
– Wando: A popular variety known for its heat tolerance and disease resistance. It matures quickly (~65 days) and produces sweet, plump pods.
– Little Marvel: An older heirloom variety that performs relatively well in warm climates if planted early enough to avoid high summer heat.
– Alaska: Known for its vigor and early maturity; it can be planted in fall through early spring in Florida.
Snap peas combine the sweetness of shelling peas with edible pods like snow peas. They tend to be somewhat more heat tolerant than shelling varieties but still do best when temperatures remain moderate.
Recommended Snap Pea Varieties for Florida:
– Sugar Snap: The classic snap pea variety that produces thick-walled pods. It prefers cooler weather but can be grown successfully during Florida’s winter months.
– Super Snappy: An improved variety with enhanced disease resistance and slightly better heat tolerance.
– Cascadia: Known for its vigorous growth and large sweet pods; suitable for fall to spring cultivation.
Snow peas have flat edible pods harvested before seeds enlarge. They generally prefer cooler conditions but some varieties have exhibited good performance in Florida’s mild winters.
Recommended Snow Pea Varieties for Florida:
– Dwarf Grey Sugar: A compact variety that can produce well in limited space; best grown during the cooler months.
– Oregon Sugar Pod II: Known for its large pods and excellent flavor; suitable for fall planting.
– Mammoth Melting Sugar: Produces large tender pods with a sweet flavor; benefits from protection against extreme heat.
Timing is one of the most important factors influencing pea success in Florida due to the state’s variable temperature patterns.
The prime season for growing peas in Florida is fall through winter (October to January). During this time, soil temperatures are cooler but not cold, and daytime highs range between 65°F and 75°F—ideal conditions for pea germination and growth.
Fall planting allows growers to avoid the intense heat of summer while taking advantage of sufficient moisture from seasonal rainfall or irrigation. This period yields the best quality pods with excellent sweetness.
Spring planting is feasible primarily in North Florida where late frosts occur, allowing early planting before temperatures rise too high by April or May.
In Central and South Florida, spring planting is riskier because rising temperatures above 75°F can cause poor flowering, pod set issues, and increased pest pressure.
Attempting to grow peas during summer months (June through September) is generally not recommended due to excessive heat stress, which causes plants to bolt prematurely or produce poor-quality pods.
If summer cultivation is necessary, consider providing shade structures or selecting heat-tolerant varieties specifically bred for warmer climates. However, these efforts may still yield limited success compared to cooler seasons.
To maximize your pea harvest in Florida’s warm climate, follow these best practices:
As outlined above, choose varieties known for their adaptability to warmer weather or shorter growing seasons suited for fall/winter planting windows.
Peas prefer loose, fertile soil rich in organic matter with good drainage. Adding compost improves moisture retention without waterlogging roots.
Peas thrive at soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Conduct a soil test before planting and amend accordingly if pH is too acidic or alkaline.
Applying organic mulch like straw or pine needles around plants helps maintain steady soil moisture levels and prevents soil from overheating during warm spells.
Peas need regular watering especially during flowering & pod development stages but do not tolerate soggy soils which may encourage root rot diseases.
Many pea varieties are climbers requiring trellises or stakes for vertical growth. Supporting plants improves air circulation reducing fungal diseases common in humid climates like Florida’s.
Florida’s warm environment encourages pests such as aphids, thrips, spider mites as well as fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Early detection combined with organic pest control methods helps protect your crop without harmful chemicals.
Growing peas successfully in Florida’s warm climate requires careful selection of suitable varieties combined with attentive cultural practices tailored to subtropical conditions. Shelling peas like Wando, snap peas such as Sugar Snap, and snow peas including Dwarf Grey Sugar all offer viable options when planted during optimal seasons—primarily fall through winter months.
By understanding how temperature impacts pea growth stages and applying proven gardening techniques—like proper soil preparation, mulching, watering management, pest control, and providing support—you can enjoy fresh homegrown peas even under the Sunshine State’s challenging climate conditions.
Whether you are aiming to harvest crisp snap peas fresh from your backyard or cultivate tender snow peas on a larger scale, choosing the right types adapted to Florida’s warmth will ensure a rewarding pea-growing experience year after year.