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When to Plant Peas in Wright County, IA

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.

Wright County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,359 feet, Wright County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Wright County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Wright County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 211 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,067 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Wright County, IA

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

159 days

Growing Tips for Wright 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 Wright County, IA?

Wright County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wright County, IA?

Wright County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wright 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 Wright County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.