When to plant peas in Iowa
Iowa’s average last spring frost is April 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 8 — about 166 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Iowa's growing season.
When to plant peas in Iowa: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 16 – Apr 4. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Iowa: Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 8 · May 20
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow peas in Iowa, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4). Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Iowa.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
- Harvest (from about May 15 – May 30). Pea takes 55-70 days to reach harvest. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked - 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Production stops once daytime highs stay above ~80 F.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Iowa’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pea dates shift with them.
When to plant peas in nearby states
Questions gardeners in Iowa ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Iowa?
Sow peas in Iowa between March 16 and April 4. That timing is set by Iowa's average last spring frost of April 25.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Iowa?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 20 and August 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before Iowa's first frost around October 8.
When will peas planted in Iowa be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 15 to May 30, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Iowa?
On average around April 25, with the first fall frost around October 8 - about 166 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.