When to plant peas in Kentucky
Kentucky’s average last spring frost is April 18, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 185 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Kentucky's growing season.
When to plant peas in Kentucky: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 9 – Mar 28. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Kentucky: Mar 26 · Apr 7 · Apr 19 · May 1 · May 13
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow peas in Kentucky, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Mar 9 – Mar 28). Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Kentucky.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
- Harvest (from about May 8 – May 23). Pea takes 55-70 days to reach harvest. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked - 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Production stops once daytime highs stay above ~80 F.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Kentucky’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pea dates shift with them.
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (this page) | April 18 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Feb 24 – Mar 15 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
Questions gardeners in Kentucky ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Kentucky?
Sow peas in Kentucky between March 9 and March 28. That timing is set by Kentucky's average last spring frost of April 18.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Kentucky?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 1 and August 18, so the crop matures in cool weather before Kentucky's first frost around October 20.
When will peas planted in Kentucky be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 8 to May 23, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
On average around April 18, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 185 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.