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When to Plant Peas in Fairfield County, SC

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.

Fairfield County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 346 feet, Fairfield County receives approximately 60 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Peas, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Fairfield County, SC (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Fairfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,000 GDD — county provides 3,584 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Fairfield County, SC

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 7b

Growing Season

224 days

Growing Tips for Fairfield 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 Fairfield County, SC?

Fairfield County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fairfield County, SC?

Fairfield County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fairfield County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Fairfield County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.