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When to Plant Peas in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska Zone 2a May

Your May game plan for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 29
Avg. first frost August 26
Soil temp (4") 43°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 18.5 hrs
  1. Set out peas seedlings

    Your last frost (May 29) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

  2. Direct-sow peas

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Fall sowing: peas

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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.

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Zone 2a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost is August 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 89 days.

At an elevation of 2,163 feet, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area receives approximately 55.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 69°F, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK (Zone 2a) Very short season
89 days
Last Spring Frost May 29
89 growing days
First Fall Frost August 26
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Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 1 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.5) is more acidic than Peas prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Peas.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.8%) — Peas will thrive.

How to Plant Peas

1"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
2.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Peas

Peas needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 9.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 8.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Aug in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peas Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Peas needs ~109 GDD — county provides 155 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline — Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Outdoors May 29 May 29 – Jun 12
Direct Sow May 22 May 22 – Jun 12
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Sep 18
Fall Sowing June 3 Jun 3 – Jun 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 2a

📆 Growing Season

89 days in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

Growing Tips for Peas in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

Direct sow Peas outdoors after May 29 in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peas in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK?

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is in Zone 2a with an average last frost of May 29. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK?

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 2a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and first fall frost is August 26.

🌱

Your Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (Zone 2a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.