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When to Plant Peas in Falls County, TX

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.

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Falls County receives approximately 66.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Falls County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,422 GDD — county provides 5,482 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Falls County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Direct Sow March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 24
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

241 days

Growing Tips for Falls 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 Falls County, TX?

Falls County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Falls County, TX?

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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