Knowing the perfect time to get your peas in the ground is the first step to a sweet, abundant harvest. This guide will explain exactly when to plant peas in Kentucky for your best spring garden yet.
Peas are a cool-season crop, thriving in the chilly, moist weather of early spring. Planting them at the right moment ensures they mature before Kentucky’s summer heat arrives, which can cause them to stop producing and turn bitter. Timing is everything, and it starts with understanding your local climate.
When to Plant Peas in Kentucky
The general rule for Kentucky is to plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter or early spring. This typically falls between late February and mid-March for most of the state. You can use the following natural signs as your guide:
* Soil Temperature: Aim for a soil temperature of at least 45°F (7°C). A simple soil thermometer is a great investment.
* The St. Patrick’s Day Benchmark: Many Kentucky gardeners use March 17th as a traditional target date for having peas planted.
* Forsythia Blooms: When the forsythia bushes in your neighborhood burst into their bright yellow flowers, it’s a strong signal that the soil is ready for peas.
For a continuous harvest, consider making successive plantings every 10-14 days until early April. If you’re planning for a fall crop, you would plant again in late summer, around mid-August.
Understanding Kentucky’s Planting Zones
Kentucky spans USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a to 7a. This variation means your specific location will fine-tune your planting schedule.
* Zone 6 (Northern KY & Higher Elevations): Plant from early to late March. Frosts are common later into spring here.
* Zone 7 (Central & Western KY): You can often start a bit earlier, from late February through mid-March. The ground tends to warm up quicker.
Always check your local frost dates. Your average last spring frost date is key—peas can tolerate a light frost after they sprout, which gives you a good planting window 4-6 weeks before that last frost date.
Choosing the Right Pea Varieties for Kentucky
Selecting varieties suited to our climate will boost your success. Look for types with good disease resistance and maturity dates that fit our spring window.
* Shelling Peas (Garden Peas): These are the classic peas you remove from the pod. Varieties like ‘Lincoln’ and ‘Green Arrow’ are reliable and produce well.
* Snow Peas: Eaten whole, flat pod and all. ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’ is a vigorous, productive choice.
* Snap Peas: The pod and peas are both eaten, and they are incredibly sweet. ‘Sugar Snap’ is a beloved favorite for good reason.
When you buy seeds, check the “days to maturity” on the packet. For spring planting, choosing varieties with 55-70 days to maturity ensures they’ll be finished before the worst summer heat.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Getting peas started is straightforward. Follow these steps for a strong begining.
1. Preparing Your Garden Bed
Peas need well-draining soil. If your garden is heavy clay (common in parts of Kentucky), amend it with compost the previous fall. They also prefer a slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.5). A simple soil test can tell you if you need to add lime.
Choose a spot that gets full sun—at least 6-8 hours of direct light. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases, which can be a problem in our humid springs.
2. How to Sow Pea Seeds
Peas do not transplant well, so always direct-sow the seeds into your garden.
1. Soak seeds in water for 4-6 hours before planting to speed up germination. This isn’t required, but it helps.
2. Create a furrow about 1 inch deep.
3. Place seeds 1-2 inches apart in the row. You can sow them closer and thin later if needed.
4. Cover the seeds with soil and pat gently.
5. Water the row thoroughly but gently to avoid washing seeds away.
If planting multiple rows, space the rows about 18-24 inches apart to allow for growth and easy picking.
3. Providing Support for Your Plants
Most pea varieties are climbers and will need a trellis. Installing it at planting time avoids disturbing roots later. Use pea netting, a simple fence of twine and stakes, or even brushy sticks from your yard. Giving them support keeps the pods clean, improves air flow, and makes harvesting much easier.
Caring for Your Pea Plants
Once they’re growing, peas require minimal but specific care.
* Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. About 1 inch of water per week is a good goal, especially once they begin to flower and produce pods.
* Mulching: After seedlings are a few inches tall, apply a light layer of straw or shredded leaves to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
* Fertilizing: Peas fix their own nitrogen from the air, so they don’t need high-nitrogen fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer or compost at planting is usually sufficient. Over-fertilizing can lead to lots of leaves and few pods.
Watch out for common pests like aphids and cabbage loopers. A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids. For diseases like powdery mildew (which often appears as summer heats up), choose resistant varieties and ensure good spacing for air circulation.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Bounty
Harvesting at the right time is crucial for flavor and to encourage more production. Pods are usually ready 60-70 days after planting.
* Shelling Peas: Harvest when the pods look rounded and full, but are still bright green and glossy.
* Snow Peas: Pick them while the pods are still flat and the peas inside are very small.
* Snap Peas: Wait until the pods are plump and you can see the shape of the peas inside; they should “snap” crisply when bent.
Use two hands to harvest—one to hold the vine and the other to pinch off the pod. Check plants daily once they start producing, as this encourages them to keep making more. Fresh peas are best eaten immediately, but they also freeze exceptionally well.
FAQs: Kentucky Pea Planting
Q: Can I plant peas in the fall in Kentucky?
A: Yes! For a fall harvest, aim to plant around mid-to-late August. This gives them time to mature as the weather cools in the autumn.
Q: What if my peas didn’t germinate well?
A: The soil might of been too cold or wet. Old seeds can also have low germination rates. You can try replanting in the same row if it’s still early enough in the season.
Q: Do I need to inoculate my pea seeds?
A: Using a rhizobial inoculant (a powder you coat the seeds with) is highly recommended, especially if peas haven’t been grown in that spot before. It helps them form nitrogen-fixing nodules more efficiently, leading to healthier plants.
Q: My peas are flowering but not producing pods. Why?
A: Extreme heat or a lack of moisture during flowering can cause blossoms to drop. Ensure consistent watering. Also, some pollinators may be less active in early spring, so gently shaking the plants during bloom can aid pollination.
Q: Can I save seeds from my peas for next year?
A: Absolutely. Let some pods dry completely and turn brown on the vine. Then shell them and store the dry peas in a cool, dark place. Remember, if you’re growing hybrid varieties, they may not come true from saved seed.
Getting your timing right is the most important factor for growing peas. By following this schedule and tips tailored for our state, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the fresh, sweet taste of homegrown peas straight from your Kentucky garden.