When to Plant Sweet Pea in Cache County, UT
Your June gardening checklist
Your Cache County, Utah garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.
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Get sweet pea in the ground
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
Get ahead of July
- Starting indoors: sweet pea
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are beloved cool-season climbing annuals grown primarily for their intensely fragrant, ruffled blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. They thrive in cool spring conditions, climbing trellises to 4–6 feet, and make outstanding cut flowers. Bloom ceases once summer heat arrives, making early sowing critical for a long cutting season.
Cache County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost is September 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.
At an elevation of 6,265 feet, Cache County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Pea to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Sweet Pea successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Cache County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Sweet Pea 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 Cache County
How your county's soil matches Sweet Pea's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.4) overlaps with Sweet Pea's range (7.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Cache County is excellent for Sweet Pea — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Pea.
How to Plant Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Sweet Pea Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Cache County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sweet Pea 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.
Sweet Pea Planting Timeline — Cache County, UT
Sweet Pea Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 11 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Direct Sow | May 7 | May 7 – May 28 |
| Bloom | August 27 | Aug 27 – Nov 5 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
65–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 7–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
83 days in Cache County
Growing Tips for Sweet Pea in Cache County
Direct sow Sweet Pea outdoors after June 11 in Cache County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 83.0-day growing season in Cache County is tight for Sweet Pea (65.0-85.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
Common pests for Sweet Pea in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Cache County receives only 16" of rain annually. Sweet Pea needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak seeds 24 hours before sowing to soften the hard seed coat; nick the seed coat with a file for the fastest germination. In cold zones (2–6), direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked, 4–6 weeks before last frost; seedlings tolerate light frost but not a hard freeze. In zones 7–9, fall-sow 8–10 weeks before first frost for earlier, stronger spring bloom. Provide a trellis or netting from the start. Feed with low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer once buds form. Pick blooms regularly — even one mature seed pod stops flower production. All plant parts are mildly toxic if eaten.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sweet Pea in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Pea in Cache County, UT?
Cache County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 11. Plan your Sweet Pea planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cache County, UT?
Cache County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and first fall frost is September 2.
Your Cache County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Cache County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.