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When to Plant Peas in Van Wert 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.

Van Wert County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,085 feet, Van Wert County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Van Wert County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Van Wert County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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 Van Wert County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9โ€“7.2) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) 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 180-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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peas needs ~812 GDD — county provides 2,340 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Van Wert County, OH

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 15

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 Direct Sow
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 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

180 days in Van Wert County

Growing Tips for Peas in Van Wert County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 25 in Van Wert 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.

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 Van Wert County, OH?

Van Wert County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Van Wert County, OH?

Van Wert County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Van Wert County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Van Wert County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.