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When to Plant Peas in McCracken 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.

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, McCracken County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

McCracken County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

McCracken County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 110 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 3,103 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” McCracken County, KY

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

214 days

Growing Tips for McCracken 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 McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McCracken 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 McCracken County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.