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When to Plant Peas in Oceana County, MI

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.

Oceana County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 503 feet, Oceana County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Oceana County, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Oceana County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 24 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 46 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,102 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Oceana County, MI

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 4

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Oceana 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 Oceana County, MI?

Oceana County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oceana County, MI?

Oceana County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Oceana County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Oceana County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.