When to Plant Peas in Dolores County, CO
What to do in May
Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
June prep starts now
- Transplants going out: peas
- Direct-sowing: peas
- Fall sowing: peas
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.
Dolores County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 18 and the first fall frost is September 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 82 days.
At an elevation of 7,506 feet, Dolores County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.
Dolores County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Dolores County
How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–8.3) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Dolores County is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.
How to Plant Peas
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 3" | 1.8" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Dolores County). 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 Planting Timeline — Dolores County, CO
Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 18 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 |
| Direct Sow | June 4 | Jun 4 – Jun 25 |
| Harvest | August 13 | Aug 13 – Oct 8 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Transplant Outdoors Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
82 days in Dolores County
Growing Tips for Peas in Dolores County
Direct sow Peas outdoors after June 18 in Dolores County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 82.0-day growing season in Dolores County is tight for Peas (55.0-70.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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.
Recommended Peas Varieties for Dolores County
Heat-tolerant peas — plant very early or as fall crop
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.
Peas in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Peas in Dolores County, CO?
Dolores County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of June 18. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Dolores County, CO?
Dolores County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 18 and first fall frost is September 8.
Your Dolores County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Dolores County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.