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When to plant Peas in Eagle County, CO

Plant Peas in Eagle County, when soil hits 50°F — usually June 2. Continue planting through June 23 for the spring crop. A second sowing from June 29 to July 13 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Peas in Eagle County, CO

Peas
Eagle County, Colorado Zone 5b June

What to do in June

June is a pivotal month for Eagle County, Colorado gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost June 16
Avg. first frost September 7
Soil temp (4") 43°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Transplant peas outside

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: peas

    Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.

  3. Get peas in for a late-season harvest

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Eagle County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 7,116 feet, Eagle County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Eagle County, CO (Zone 5b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Eagle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Peas Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 1 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 23 Transplant: Jun 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17

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 Eagle County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Eagle County is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.

How to Plant Peas

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Peas Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 3" 1.6" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3" 2.1" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Eagle 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 needs ~672 GDD — county provides 892 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline — Eagle County, CO

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 12 May 12 – May 26
Transplant Outdoors June 16 Jun 16 – Jun 30
Direct Sow June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 23
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 – Oct 6
Fall Sowing June 29 Jun 29 – Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July 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 5b

📆 Growing Season

83 days in Eagle County

Growing Tips for Peas in Eagle County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after June 16 in Eagle County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Eagle 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.

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 Eagle County, CO?

Eagle County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eagle County, CO?

Eagle County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

When should I plant Peas in Eagle County, CO?

In Eagle County, CO, plant Peas after the last frost (around June 16) and before the first frost (around September 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Eagle County, CO for Peas?

Eagle County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Peas grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Peas grow in Eagle County's climate?

Yes — Peas grows well in Eagle County's temperate climate. Eagle County averages a 83-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 16 and first frost around September 7.

🌱

Your Eagle County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Eagle County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Eagle County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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