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When to Plant Peas in Caribou County, ID

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.

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 109 days.

At an elevation of 6,562 feet, Caribou County receives approximately 15.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Peas successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Caribou County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
109 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
109 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Caribou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 478 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Peas needs ~672 GDD — county provides 1,171 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Caribou County, ID

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 8
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

109 days

Growing Tips for Caribou 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 Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caribou County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Caribou County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.