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When to plant Peas in Mapleton, KS

Mapleton's climate puts the Peas spring window between March 25 and April 15. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Peas in Mapleton, KS

Peas
Bourbon County, Kansas Zone 7a August

What to do in August

Your garden in Bourbon County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Plant your fall garden: peas

    Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.

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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.

Mapleton, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Mapleton, KS (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Mapleton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Peas Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 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.

Soil Compatibility in Mapleton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) is within Peas's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bourbon County is excellent for Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.

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

4
successive plantings in your 200-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Peas Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Peas

Peas needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bourbon County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peas 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.

Peas needs ~859 GDD — county provides 2,750 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline — Mapleton, KS

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 29
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Bourbon County

Growing Tips for Peas in Mapleton

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 08 in Bourbon 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 Mapleton

Heat-tolerant peas — plant very early or as fall crop

Wando (68d) Oregon Sugar Pod (60d)

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.

When should I plant Peas in Mapleton, KS?

In Mapleton, KS, plant Peas after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mapleton, KS for Peas?

Mapleton sits in USDA Zone 7a. Peas grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Peas grow in Mapleton's climate?

Yes — Peas grows well in Mapleton's temperate climate. Mapleton averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Bourbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bourbon County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bourbon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.