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Field Crops, Grains & OilseedsField Pea Planting Calendar
Field peas, also called dry peas, are a cool-season legume. They want to be planted early so they can finish before summer heat arrives.
Key points
- Field peas are a cool-season crop planted as early as the soil allows.
- NASS shows Washington planting from mid April to mid May.
- Heat during flowering cuts yield, so early planting matters.
- Check inoculant, rotation and buyer needs with local sources.
When are field peas planted?
Field peas are among the first crops planted in spring because they tolerate cool soil and light frost and dislike heat. In the northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest, growers often seed them as soon as the soil can be worked. Peas that flower during hot weather can lose yield, so earlier planting helps them finish before the hot part of summer.
The details depend on your region. Ask your state extension service for guidance about seeding dates and the soil conditions to look for. A seedbed that is too wet can lead to compaction, uneven emergence and disease, so patience with wet fields can be worth more than a few days of earliness.
What is the usual field pea planting window?
In the October 2010 edition of USDA NASS usual planting dates, dry edible peas in Washington show most active planting from about April 10 to May 15, with harvest in mid to late summer. The publication lists only a few states for peas, so for other regions you will need local sources.
Extension programs in North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and neighboring states publish guides for field peas, and many describe planting as soon as soil conditions allow. Compare what you read with your own soil and frost conditions.
- Washington shows most planting from mid April to mid May
- Other states are not listed in the federal table
- Use regional extension guides for your area
Why do peas dislike heat?
Peas are a cool-season crop, and hot weather during flowering and pod fill can cut yield and quality. That is why planting date is such a large factor, and why an early start can pay off. If seeding is delayed into warm weather, the crop gets a shorter, hotter season, and results can be poor.
If a wet spring delays planting past your local window, ask extension whether to still plant peas or switch to another crop. Crop insurance has final planting dates, and your agent can tell you about late-planting provisions.
What about inoculant, fertility and rotation?
Peas are legumes and work with soil bacteria to fix nitrogen. Seed is often treated with a matching inoculant, and extension programs can tell you whether it makes sense in your field, based on history. Use a soil test for other nutrients and follow your state's nutrient management rules.
Rotation is important because peas share diseases with some other legumes, and many programs recommend several years between pea crops in the same field. Peas can also be a good crop before small grains or other crops because of the nitrogen benefit, but ask extension what to expect from your system.
How do pea types and markets fit in?
Field peas include yellow and green types and others, and they are sold for human food, pet food and animal feed. Some markets are specialty and require contracts. Talk to buyers before you plant, and ask about variety and quality requirements. Harvest timing is also important because peas dry down over a short window, and weather can complicate it.
Peas are also grown as a cover crop or a forage companion in some regions. The timing for those uses may be different, so ask extension if you plan to use peas that way.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Planting too late into heat, planting into wet, cold ground and skipping rotation are the common ones. Disease and pest guidance changes over time, so check current extension recommendations. Any pesticide use follows the label, including pre-harvest intervals, applicator licensing rules and pollinator protection.
- Planting into heat
- Planting into saturated ground
- Skipping rotation gaps
How can you plan pea planting around a wet spring?
A wet spring is the main threat to an early pea plan. Check fields as they dry and start with the best-drained ground first. Peas planted into smeared, saturated soil can have poor emergence for the whole season. If you have several fields, decide in advance which ones to plant first and which to skip if the window closes.
Talk to your insurance agent before the season about final planting dates and what happens if you cannot plant by then. Also talk to your buyer, who may have delivery commitments. If peas cannot go in on time, you may have an alternative crop in mind, and having that decision made ahead of time saves stress when the weather is not cooperating.
Write down what happened. A season in which peas went in late tells you something about how your farm responds, and that is useful when you plan next year.
Timing at a glance
| Item | Window | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Dry edible peas, Washington | Most active planting from about April 10 to May 15 | Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide. |
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.