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When to plant Peas in Owsley County, KY

For Peas in Owsley County, the safe spring window opens around April 8 and closes around April 29. Last expected frost is April 22, first fall frost October 21, giving a 182-day growing season. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Peas in Owsley County, KY

Peas
Owsley County, Kentucky Zone 6b July

July in Owsley County, Kentucky — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Owsley County, Kentucky this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Start harvesting peas

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Get ahead of August
  • First harvests: peas
  • Fall sowing: peas

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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.

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,434 feet, Owsley County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Owsley County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Owsley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Peas Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29

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 Owsley County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Peas prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Peas.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 182-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Peas Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Owsley 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 ~1,000 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Peas Planting Timeline — Owsley County, KY

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Aug 12
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Owsley County

Growing Tips for Peas in Owsley County

Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 22 in Owsley 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 Owsley County

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peas in Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Peas in Owsley County, KY?

In Owsley County, KY, plant Peas after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Owsley County, KY for Peas?

Owsley County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Peas grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Peas grow in Owsley County's climate?

Yes — Peas grows well in Owsley County's temperate climate. Owsley County averages a 182-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Owsley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Owsley 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.

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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 Owsley County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.