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When to Plant Peas in Johnson County, KY

Peas are a cool-season legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Garden peas are shelled, while snap and snow peas are eaten pod and all.

Johnson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 3,308 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Johnson County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,827 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, KY

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 4

Plant 1" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Johnson County

Direct sow as early as soil can be worked in spring. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation. Provide trellising for climbing varieties.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Peas Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let pods dry brown and papery on the vine.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peas in Johnson County, KY?

Johnson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, KY?

Johnson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Johnson County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.