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Hands opening a fresh pea pod
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When to plant peas in Salem, OR

Plant peas from seed, directly in the garden in Salem, Mar 1 – Apr 12.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Salem's typical last spring frost is April 3. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

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 1 – Apr 12, 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 Salem, OR?

Typically April 3. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Salem McNary Field.

Is it too late to plant peas in Salem?

The spring planting window runs through April 12. 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 Salem around the same time

Planting dates for peas in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Salem · Peas in every city