When to Plant Peas in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
What to do in May
Each item below is timed to St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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It's harvest week for peas
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: peas
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.
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 284 days.
At an elevation of 309 feet, St. John the Baptist Parish receives approximately 53.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peas root diseases.
St. John the Baptist Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant 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 St. John the Baptist Parish
How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.1) is more acidic than Peas prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in St. John the Baptist Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Peas will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Peas.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.
How to Plant Peas
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Peas
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 06.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in St. John the Baptist Parish). 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 Planting Timeline — St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 23 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 20 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Direct Sow | January 30 | Jan 30 – Feb 20 |
| Harvest | April 17 | Apr 17 – Jun 12 |
| Fall Sowing | October 6 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9b
📆 Growing Season
284 days in St. John the Baptist Parish
Growing Tips for Peas in St. John the Baptist Parish
Direct sow Peas outdoors after February 20 in St. John the Baptist Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in St. John the Baptist Parish dries quickly — mulch Peas with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Summer highs in St. John the Baptist Parish reach 103°F — grow Peas as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
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 St. John the Baptist Parish
Heat-tolerant peas — plant very early or as fall crop
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.
Peas in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Peas in St. John the Baptist Parish, LA?
St. John the Baptist Parish is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 20. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is St. John the Baptist Parish, LA?
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 20 and first fall frost is December 1.
Your St. John the Baptist Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for St. John the Baptist Parish (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.