When to Plant Peas in Aransas County, TX
May to-do list for Aransas County, Texas
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Aransas County, Texas.
-
Harvest peas as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Get ahead of June
- First harvests: 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.
Aransas County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost is December 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.
At an elevation of 173 feet, Aransas County receives approximately 67.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 104°F, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.
Aransas County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.7
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 Aransas County
How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.7) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Aransas County is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.
How to Plant Peas
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Peas
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 17.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 3" | 2.4" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Mar | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 6.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 10.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 12" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 8.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 8.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 2.2" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 3" | 1.7" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Aransas 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 — Aransas County, TX
Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 13 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 10 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Direct Sow | January 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 10 |
| Harvest | April 7 | Apr 7 – Jun 2 |
| Fall Sowing | October 17 | Oct 17 – Oct 31 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9b
📆 Growing Season
305 days in Aransas County
Growing Tips for Peas in Aransas County
Direct sow Peas outdoors after February 10 in Aransas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Aransas County reach 104°F — grow Peas as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
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 Aransas 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 Aransas County, TX?
Aransas County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 10. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Aransas County, TX?
Aransas County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 10 and first fall frost is December 12.
Your Aransas County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Aransas County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.