When to plant peas in South Dakota
South Dakota’s average last spring frost is May 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 138 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within South Dakota's growing season.
When to plant peas in South Dakota: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 31 – Apr 19. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in South Dakota: Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 11 · May 23 · Jun 4
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 South Dakota, 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 31 – Apr 19). 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 South Dakota.
- 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 30 – Jun 14). 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 South Dakota’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in South Dakota
South Dakota spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (this page) | May 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 19 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | Mar 21 – Apr 9 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
Questions gardeners in South Dakota ask
When is the best time to plant peas in South Dakota?
Sow peas in South Dakota between March 31 and April 19. That timing is set by South Dakota's average last spring frost of May 10.
Can I plant peas in the fall in South Dakota?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 7 and July 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before South Dakota's first frost around September 25.
When will peas planted in South Dakota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 30 to June 14, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in South Dakota?
On average around May 10, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 138 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.