Masterclass: Peas — Bay Area (Sunset 14-17 + USDA 9-10)

Garden Nerd
Sep 12
2 min read

Peas shine in cool, bright conditions with steady moisture. The Bay’s patchwork means Sunset zones matter: coastal 16–17 can sow for longer; warmer inland 14–15 should start earlier to beat spring heat. USDA 9–10 sets cold limits, but Sunset captures fog, wind, and seasonal timing — key for mildew and growth speed. Use the gardener charts as a baseline and shift by microclimate.

This Masterclass covers Sunset+USDA windows, trellis & watering tactics, a weekly plan, targeted IPM for powdery mildew and aphids, and five heirloom peas adapted to the Bay.

“GrowBot did some digging… Install the trellis at sowing—vines find support sooner and airflow stays clean.”

Sunset + USDA planting windows

USDA 9–10: Sow Oct–Feb; inland spring heat ends the run.
Sunset 17 (fog belt): long, cool run Oct–Apr.
Sunset 16 (coastal thermal): Oct–Mar, vent covers after storms.
Sunset 14–15 (inland marine): Oct–Dec to beat spring heat.

Hand-drawn top-down pea row with seeds 1–1½ in deep and 2 in apart beside a simple net trellis installed at sowing

Weekly checklist

Week 0: Amend 1–2” compost; set trellis; pre-irrigate well-drained bed.
Week 1–2: Sow 1–1½” deep, ~2” apart; thin gently after emergence.
Week 3+: Mulch; keep even moisture; start harvest when pods fill.

Targeted IPM

Powdery mildew: sunny site, airflow, morning watering; resistant types help.
Aphids (and ants): wash off; block/treat ants so natural enemies work; oils/soaps if needed.

Hand-drawn peas on a trellis with airflow arrows, a sun icon, and a morning watering cue showing spacing and venting to reduce powdery mildew

Heirloom Varieties for the Bay Area

‘Alderman (Telephone)’ — tall vining shelling pea; long harvest in cool coastal belts.
‘Lincoln (Homesteader)’ — dependable inland; tolerates variable spring.
‘Green Arrow’ — heavy yields; good disease package.
‘Laxton’s Progress No. 9’ — compact sheller; reliable shoulder-season sets.
‘Little Marvel’ — dwarf sheller; great for patios and cool coastal beds.