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When to Plant Peas in Mills 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.

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 4,208 feet, Mills County receives approximately 61.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Mills County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Mills County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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 ~1,094 GDD — county provides 4,095 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Mills County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 13

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
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

234 days

Growing Tips for Mills 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 Mills County, TX?

Mills County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mills County, TX?

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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