When to plant peas in Reno, Nevada

March 17 – March 31

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Reno year

Climate basis: NOAA station Reno Wfo, NV (USC00266791), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Reno (ZCTA 89501 centroid), elevation 4987 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow peas from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 28). One year in ten still freezes after May 19.

Last spring freezeApril 281-in-10 after May 19
First fall freezeOctober 271-in-10 before Oct 10
Frost-free season182 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 10Nov 8kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low not frost timing

The Reno year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 17 – Mar 31
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 19
Peas in Reno · freeze context from Reno Wfo, NV, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 17 – Mar 31

Purdue: hardy — plant 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost. Penn State earliest sowing Apr 1 (−30 days) sits inside that range; UNH says as soon as soil thaws. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 28). Purdue University Extension · Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · University of New Hampshire Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Peas are direct-seeded; transplanting is not part of the cited timing guides.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes an average shelling/snap variety (about 60–70 days; Penn State lists 65).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (3)

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