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When to Plant Peas in Cass County, NE

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.

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 779 feet, Cass County receives approximately 20.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Cass County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cass County

How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.8) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cass County is excellent for Peas โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.

How to Plant Peas

1"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Peas

3
successive plantings in your 172-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 357 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,494 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, NE

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 12

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

172 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Peas in Cass County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 22 in Cass County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Recommended Peas Varieties for Cass County

Heat-tolerant peas โ€” plant very early or as fall crop

Wando (68d) Oregon Sugar Pod (60d)

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 Cass County, NE?

Cass County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, NE?

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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