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When to Plant Peas in Lavaca 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.

Lavaca County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 254 feet, Lavaca County receives approximately 60.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Lavaca County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
278 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Lavaca 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 (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 970 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~1,281 GDD — county provides 5,719 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Lavaca County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ Jun 18

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 8b

Growing Season

278 days

Growing Tips for Lavaca 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 Lavaca County, TX?

Lavaca County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lavaca County, TX?

Lavaca County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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