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When to Plant Peas in Kinney 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.

Kinney County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 281 days.

At an elevation of 1,375 feet, Kinney County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Kinney County, TX (Zone 8a) Year-round
281 days
Last Spring Frost February 22
281 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30

Kinney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Feb 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Jun 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 670 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Peas needs ~1,609 GDD — county provides 7,261 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Kinney County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 18 Jan 18 โ€“ Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Direct Sow February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Mar 1
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 โ€“ Oct 5
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ Jun 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

281 days

Growing Tips for Kinney 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 Kinney County, TX?

Kinney County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of February 22. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kinney County, TX?

Kinney County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and first fall frost is November 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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