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When to Plant Peas in Hidalgo 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.

Hidalgo County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 6 and the first fall frost is December 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 4,081 feet, Hidalgo County receives approximately 67 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Hidalgo County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 6
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 18

Hidalgo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (216 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 15 – May 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (203 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 308 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,562 GDD — county provides 7,900 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Hidalgo County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 9 Jan 9 โ€“ Jan 23
Transplant Outdoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Direct Sow January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Feb 6
Fall Sowing October 23 Oct 23 โ€“ Nov 6
Harvest April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ May 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9b

Growing Season

315 days

Growing Tips for Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo County, TX?

Hidalgo County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 6. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hidalgo County, TX?

Hidalgo County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 6 and first fall frost is December 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hidalgo County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Hidalgo County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.