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When to Plant Peas in Pierce County, WI

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.

Pierce County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 523 feet, Pierce County receives approximately 35.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Pierce County, WI (Zone 4a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Pierce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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 166 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Peas needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,119 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Pierce County, WI

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Jul 30
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Pierce 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 Pierce County, WI?

Pierce County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pierce County, WI?

Pierce County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pierce County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Pierce County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.