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When to Plant Peas in Leon County, FL

Peas are a cool-season legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Garden peas are shelled, while snap and snow peas are eaten pod and all.

Leon County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.

At an elevation of 250 feet, Leon County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Leon County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
255 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
255 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Leon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 936 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,328 GDD — county provides 5,418 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Leon County, FL

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

255 days

Growing Tips for Leon County

Direct sow as early as soil can be worked in spring. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation. Provide trellising for climbing varieties.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Peas Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let pods dry brown and papery on the vine.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peas in Leon County, FL?

Leon County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Leon County, FL?

Leon County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Leon County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Leon County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.