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When to Plant Peas in Douglas County, OR

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.

Douglas County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 377 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Douglas County, OR (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,094 GDD — county provides 3,762 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Douglas County, OR

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Douglas 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 Douglas County, OR?

Douglas County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, OR?

Douglas County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Douglas County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Douglas County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.