When to Plant Peas in Mississippi County, MO
Your May game plan for Mississippi County, Missouri
Your garden in Mississippi County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Time to start peas inside
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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Pick peas
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Mississippi County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.
At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Mississippi County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.
Mississippi County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.6
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 Mississippi County
How your county's soil matches Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Mississippi 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 (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Peas.
How to Plant Peas
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Peas
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Mississippi 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 Planting Timeline — Mississippi County, MO
Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Direct Sow | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 |
| Harvest | May 27 | May 27 – Jul 22 |
| Fall Sowing | August 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
210 days in Mississippi County
Growing Tips for Peas in Mississippi County
Direct sow Peas outdoors after April 01 in Mississippi 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 Mississippi County
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 Mississippi County, MO?
Mississippi County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mississippi County, MO?
Mississippi County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 28.
Your Mississippi County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mississippi County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.