Field pea (Forage pea)

Pisum sativum var. arvense

Cool-season cover-crop pea — smaller seed and habit than garden pea (P. sativum), grown for biomass and nitrogen fixation rather than fresh eating.

Hardiness ratings

Field pea (Forage pea) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −45.6 °C to −1.1 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −40 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Field pea (Forage pea) doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Different cultivar group from garden pea — same species but selected for cover-crop and forage use
  • Often sown in mix with oats or rye for combined nitrogen and carbon contribution
  • Cool-season crop — sow autumn in mild climates, very early spring in cold

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Field pea (Forage pea) against your zones

Reference

Field pea (Forage pea) on Wikipedia