When to plant peas in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant peas in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 20 – Mar 11. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Oklahoma: Mar 9 · Mar 21 · Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 26
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 Oklahoma, 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 (Feb 20 – Mar 11). 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 Oklahoma.
- 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 Apr 21 – May 6). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 19 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | Mar 21 – Apr 9 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Oklahoma?
Sow peas in Oklahoma between February 20 and March 11. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Oklahoma?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 13 and August 30, so the crop matures in cool weather before Oklahoma's first frost around November 1.
When will peas planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 21 to May 6, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.