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When to Plant Peas in Wilbarger County, TX

Wilbarger County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in Wilbarger County, Texas — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Wilbarger County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Bring in the peas

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • First harvests: 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.

Wilbarger County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 1,980 feet, Wilbarger County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.

Wilbarger County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Wilbarger County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 Wilbarger County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.6) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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.

Succession Planting Peas

4
successive plantings in your 230-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 1.5" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wilbarger 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 ~1,234 GDD — county provides 4,542 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline — Wilbarger County, TX

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jul 15
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 – Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
October
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

230 days in Wilbarger County

Growing Tips for Peas in Wilbarger County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after March 25 in Wilbarger County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Wilbarger County reach 93°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 Wilbarger County

Heat-tolerant peas — plant very early or as fall crop

Wando (68d) Oregon Sugar Pod (60d)

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 Wilbarger County, TX?

Wilbarger County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilbarger County, TX?

Wilbarger County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Wilbarger County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wilbarger County (Zone 8a). 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 Wilbarger County, TX. 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.