Blog

When to Plant Peas in Vilas 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.

Vilas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 543 feet, Vilas County receives approximately 36.5 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.

Vilas County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Vilas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~812 GDD — county provides 1,703 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Vilas County, WI

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

131 days

Growing Tips for Vilas 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 Vilas County, WI?

Vilas County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Vilas County, WI?

Vilas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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