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When to Plant Peas in Hays County, TX

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.

Hays County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.

At an elevation of 3,119 feet, Hays County receives approximately 61.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Peas, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Hays County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
261 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
261 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Hays County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Peas

Peas needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hays County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peas Planting Timeline — Hays County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jun 26
Fall Sowing September 27 Sep 27 – Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

261 days in Hays County

Growing Tips for Hays 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

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 Hays County, TX?

Hays County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hays County, TX?

Hays County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 22.

🌱

Your Hays County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hays County (Zone 9a). 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 Hays County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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