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When to Plant Peas in Lake 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.

Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 740 feet, Lake County receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Lake County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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 95 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~953 GDD — county provides 2,455 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, OH

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 25

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6a

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, OH?

Lake County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, OH?

Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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