When to Plant Peas in Richmond City, VA
Your May gardening checklist
A quick May briefing for Richmond City, Virginia gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
Get peas seeds going inside
These need a head start before your last frost (April 10). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- 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.
Richmond City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.
At an elevation of 615 feet, Richmond City receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.
Richmond City Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.8
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 Richmond City
How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Richmond City is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.
How to Plant Peas
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Peas
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.
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 | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Richmond City). 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 — Richmond City, VA
Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Fall Sowing | August 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
200 days in Richmond City
Growing Tips for Peas in Richmond City
Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 10 in Richmond City when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 Richmond City
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 Richmond City, VA?
Richmond City is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Richmond City, VA?
Richmond City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Richmond City Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Richmond City (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.