Gardeners in the Columbia and Snake River areas can plant their peas in March. Residents of the mountains and plateaus of central and eastern Oregon may have to wait until the soil can be worked. For a continuous supply of peas from late spring to fall, plant more peas every few weeks. But after April 1, plant only enation virus-resistant varieties, as peas grown in warmer weather are susceptible to a disease called pea enation virus, especially those grown west of the Cascades. Oregon Giant and Oregon Sugar Pod II are both enation-resistant Oriental or snow peas.
Peas grow best in well-drained, fertile soil.
Plant peas about two inches apart. If planting peas in the early spring, plant the seeds about one inch deep. Thinning is not necessary. Tall peas should be grown along a fence or trellis. Short or bush varieties can be planted in rows or broadcast planted into a raised bed at a rate of about one pound per 100 square feet.