Rainline Garden

When to plant peas in Olympia, WA

Plant peas from seed, directly in the garden in Olympia, Mar 18 – Apr 29.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun; tolerates light shade
Spacing
2 inches apart along a trellis
Planting depth
1 inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 65 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 18 – Apr 29, 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart along a trellis.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Harvest: Pick snap and snow peas when pods are plump but still crisp, every two or three days.

Varieties that do well here

  • Oregon Sugar Pod II
  • Sugar Snap
  • Green Arrow

Watch out for

Birds and slugs go after young shoots. Cover rows with netting until plants are a few inches tall.

Germinate in cool soil (about 40-50°F). Get them in early; they stall in summer heat.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Olympia, WA?

Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.

Is it too late to plant peas in Olympia?

The spring planting window runs through April 29. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest peas?

About 65 days after planting. Pick snap and snow peas when pods are plump but still crisp, every two or three days.

Also plant in Olympia around the same time

Planting dates for peas in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Olympia · Peas in every city