When to plant peas in Kansas City, Missouri

February 21 – March 7

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Kansas City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Kansas City Downtown AP, MO (USW00013988), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Kansas City (ZCTA 64106 centroid), elevation 742 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow peas from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 4). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 41-in-10 after Apr 20
First fall freezeNovember 21-in-10 before Oct 21
Frost-free season211 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 26Nov 11kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low not frost timing

The Kansas City year

Direct-sow outdoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 20
Peas in Kansas City · freeze context from Kansas City Downtown AP, MO, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Feb 21 – Mar 7

Purdue: hardy — plant 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost. Penn State earliest sowing Apr 1 (−30 days) sits inside that range; UNH says as soon as soil thaws. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 4). Purdue University Extension · Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · University of New Hampshire Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Peas are direct-seeded; transplanting is not part of the cited timing guides.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes an average shelling/snap variety (about 60–70 days; Penn State lists 65).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (3)

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