The Best Time to Plant Peas in Zone 6 for a Productive Harvest

Gardeners in USDA Zone 6 know that timing is everything when it comes to planting peas Get your planting schedule right, and you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of sweet, delicious peas Miss the optimal window, and your pea crop will disappoint.

So when’s the magic time for planting peas in Zone 6? Read on for tips on timing your pea crop for success,

An Overview of Peas in Zone 6

Before diving into timing, let’s go over some pea basics. Peas thrive in cool weather and can tolerate frosts and even light freezes. Most pea varieties reach maturity in 60-70 days.

There are a few main types of peas to consider

• Shelling peas – Also called English or garden peas. You shell the peas from the pods.

• Snow peas – Flat edible pods with small peas inside. Eat pods and peas.

• Snap peas – Plump, crisp, edible pods with large peas. Eat whole pod.

While peas will grow in partial shade, they prefer full sun for heaviest yields. They require well-drained soil with a pH between 6-7. Most peas are vining types that need trellising, but some bush varieties are self-supporting.

When to Plant Peas in Zone 6 Gardens

Zone 6 covers a wide swath of the country from Minnesota down to Tennessee and Northern California over to Massachusetts. It generally experiences its last spring frost between mid-April and mid-May.

Here are planting guidelines based on your Zone 6 location:

Northern Zone 6 (Last Frost Mid-May)

• Start seeds indoors: Around March 15th, start seeds indoors in biodegradable pots.

• Transplant outdoors: Around April 15th, transplant seedlings into garden after hardening off.

• Direct sow: From mid-April onward, directly sow pea seeds outdoors.

• Fall crop: Sow peas in late summer 6-8 weeks before first fall frost.

Southern Zone 6 (Last Frost Mid-April)

• Start seeds indoors: Around late February, start seeds indoors in biodegradable pots.

• Transplant outdoors: Around late March, transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off.

• Direct sow: From early March onward, directly sow peas outdoors.

• Fall crop: Sow fall peas in late summer 4-5 weeks before first fall frost.

Adjust dates based on your specific frost dates. The key is allowing 4-6 weeks of cool weather for peas to mature before hot summer temps arrive.

How to Time Your Zone 6 Pea Planting

Follow these handy tips for ideal timing when planting peas in Zone 6:

• Track soil temperature – Plant seeds directly in garden soil once it reaches about 40°F.

• Watch the weather – Hold off planting if sub-freezing nights are still in the forecast.

• Start seeds indoors – Get a head start by planting seeds indoors in biodegradable pots about 4-6 weeks before your last frost date.

• Harden off transplants – Gradually introduce indoor-started seedlings to the outdoors over 7-10 days before transplanting.

• Use season extenders – Protect tender shoots with cloches, cold frames, or row covers early and late in the season.

• Plant early varieties – Quick-maturing pea varieties need less time to produce.

• Make successional sowings – Every 2-3 weeks, plant another round of seeds to extend the harvest.

• Watch the calendar – Use our Planting Calendar tailored to your zip code as a guide for timing.

• Mind the moon – For best germination, some gardeners recommend planting peas on the new moon.

By closely monitoring soil temperature, weather forecasts, and the calendar, you can pinpoint the perfect planting window for peas in your Zone 6 garden.

Common Pea Varieties to Grow in Zone 6

You can’t go wrong with these time-tested pea varieties in Zone 6:

Shelling Peas

• Little Marvel – 15 inch dwarf variety, matures fast
• Progress #9 – excellent disease resistance
• Green Arrow – high yields, no supports needed
• Lincoln – heat tolerant, no supports needed

Snap Peas

• Sugar Ann – compact 2 foot vines, no support needed
• Sugar Snap – the classic, heavy yields
• Super Sugar Mel – very sweet, 4 inch pods

Snow Peas

• Oregon Giant – resistant to fusarium wilt
• Mammoth Melting – huge 5 inch pods
• Snowbird – compact vines, ideal for containers

When choosing pea varieties, prioritize early-maturing, disease-resistant types suited for your Zone 6 planting times.

How to Plant Peas in Zone 6 Gardens

Once you’ve determined the optimal planting window, here are some tips for sowing peas:

• Inoculate seeds with rhizobium bacteria to enhance growth.

• Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 2 inches apart in rows spaced 6-8 inches apart.

• Ideal soil temperature for germination is 60°F-85°F.

• Water lightly daily to keep soil moist but not saturated.

• Once sprouted, thin bush varieties to 4-6 inches apart. Don’t thin vining types.

• Provide trellises and supports for vining peas to climb when 4-6 inches tall.

Follow proper spacing guidelines to avoid overcrowding, which leads to poor air circulation and fungal disease. With good timing and care, your Zone 6 peas will thrive!

Caring for Peas Through Zone 6 Growing Seasons

Pay close attention to your peas as they grow and develop:

• Water deeply 1-2 times per week during dry spells.

• Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.

• Provide shade covers if temperatures exceed 85°F.

• Scout for aphids, mildew, and other pests. Treat organically as needed.

• Train vines to climb trellises and supports to prevent sprawling.

• Harvest regularly as pods mature to encourage further pod production.

With the right planting schedule and attentive care throughout the season, your Zone 6 peas will produce an abundant harvest.

How to Tell When Peas Are Ready for Picking

Learning when to harvest ensures peas are picked at their peak:

• Snow peas – Harvest when pods are fully formed but still flat before seeds bulge. Pods should snap easily.

• Snap peas – Pick when pods are plump and round with peas, but still glossy and crisp.

• Shelling peas – Allow pods to fill out fully. Pick when bright green and before they yellow.

Test taste samples to judge sweetness and texture. Pick in the cool of the morning for best flavor.

Storing Your Pea Harvest

Enjoy fresh picked peas ASAP for maximum sweetness. To extend shelf life:

• Store unshelled peas in perforated bags in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

• Shell and blanch peas before freezing for 6-12 months.

• Can or pickle peas using proper preserving methods.

With correct timing, varieties, and care, Zone 6 gardens can yield bumper crops of garden-fresh peas! Just be sure to harvest and use them promptly before sugars start converting to starch. Now get out there and plant those peas!