Rainline Garden

When to plant peas in The Dalles, OR

Plant peas from seed, directly in the garden in The Dalles, Mar 20 – May 1.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 20 – May 1, 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 (bred at OSU)
  • 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 The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant peas in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through May 1. 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 The Dalles around the same time

Planting dates for peas in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for The Dalles · Peas in every city