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When to Plant Peas in Jackson County, OH

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.

Jackson County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 831 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Jackson County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“6.8) is within Peas's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) โ€” Peas will thrive.

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 184-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 ~1,094 GDD — county provides 3,220 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, OH

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

184 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Peas in Jackson County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 21 in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County, OH?

Jackson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, OH?

Jackson County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Jackson County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.