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When to Plant Peas in Carroll County, VA

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.

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 883 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season.

Carroll County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Peas

Peas needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Peas Planting Timeline — Carroll County, VA

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 21
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

168 days in Carroll County

Growing Tips for Carroll County

Direct sow as early as soil can be worked in spring. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation. Provide trellising for climbing varieties.

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 Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

🌱

Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Carroll 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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