When to plant Sweet Pea in Edwards County County,
Edwards County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Sweet Pea between March 11 (after last frost on April 15) and April 1.
When to Plant Sweet Pea in Edwards County, KS
June to-do list for Edwards County, Kansas
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Edwards County, Kansas.
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
- First harvests: sweet pea
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are beloved cool-season climbing annuals grown primarily for their intensely fragrant, ruffled blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. They thrive in cool spring conditions, climbing trellises to 4–6 feet, and make outstanding cut flowers. Bloom ceases once summer heat arrives, making early sowing critical for a long cutting season.
Edwards County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.
At an elevation of 814 feet, Edwards County receives approximately 22 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Pea during the growing season.
Edwards County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Sweet Pea Planting Risk Windows
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 Edwards County
How your county's soil matches Sweet Pea's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) overlaps with Sweet Pea's range (7.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Edwards County is excellent for Sweet Pea — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Pea.
How to Plant Sweet Pea
Succession Planting Sweet Pea
Sow every 7.4 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.
Sweet Pea Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Sweet Pea Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Edwards County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sweet Pea Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Sweet Pea Planting Timeline — Edwards County, KS
Sweet Pea Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Direct Sow | March 11 | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Bloom | July 1 | Jul 1 – Sep 9 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
65–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 7–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
191 days in Edwards County
Growing Tips for Sweet Pea in Edwards County
Direct sow Sweet Pea outdoors after April 15 in Edwards County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Sweet Pea in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Edwards County receives only 22" of rain annually. Sweet Pea needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak seeds 24 hours before sowing to soften the hard seed coat; nick the seed coat with a file for the fastest germination. In cold zones (2–6), direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked, 4–6 weeks before last frost; seedlings tolerate light frost but not a hard freeze. In zones 7–9, fall-sow 8–10 weeks before first frost for earlier, stronger spring bloom. Provide a trellis or netting from the start. Feed with low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer once buds form. Pick blooms regularly — even one mature seed pod stops flower production. All plant parts are mildly toxic if eaten.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sweet Pea in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Pea in Edwards County, KS?
Edwards County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Sweet Pea planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Edwards County, KS?
Edwards County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.
When should I plant Sweet Pea in Edwards County County, ?
In Edwards County County, , plant Sweet Pea after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Edwards County County, for Sweet Pea?
Edwards County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Sweet Pea grows reliably in zones 2a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Sweet Pea grow in Edwards County County's climate?
Yes — Sweet Pea grows well in Edwards County County's temperate climate. Edwards County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 23.
Your Edwards County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Edwards County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.