Hi,
Your neighbour would have sown an over-wintering variety back in Oct/Nov. These would have germinated and grown a certain amount before partly going dormant during winter before starting to grow again in the spring.
I started my sweetpeas in a cold frame like this and will transplant out in the spring.
Last year I sowed 'first-early' peas inside on Feb 15, planted out on March 30, and had fresh peas for June 1st.
I would advise this than trying peas now.
Thomas