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When to Plant Peas in Franklin County, NY

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.

Franklin County, New York is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 739 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Franklin County, NY (Zone 4a) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~719 GDD — county provides 1,518 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, NY

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

132 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, NY?

Franklin County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, NY?

Franklin County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Franklin County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.