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When to Plant Peas in Perry 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.

Perry County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 3,675 feet, Perry County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Perry County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24

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.

Soil Compatibility in Perry County

How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.7) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Perry County is excellent for Peas โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.

How to Plant Peas

1"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Peas

3
successive plantings in your 181-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,624 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, KY

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

181 days in Perry County

Growing Tips for Peas in Perry County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 22 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Recommended Peas Varieties for Perry County

Heat-tolerant peas โ€” plant very early or as fall crop

Wando (68d) Oregon Sugar Pod (60d)

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 Perry County, KY?

Perry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, KY?

Perry County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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