When to plant peas in Lexington, Kentucky

March 2 – March 16

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Lexington year

Climate basis: NOAA station Lexington Bluegrass AP, KY (USW00093820), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Lexington (ZCTA 40507 centroid), elevation 980 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 13). One year in ten still freezes after May 1.

Last spring freezeApril 131-in-10 after May 1

First fall freezeOctober 281-in-10 before Oct 16

Frost-free season≈ 196 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 31 – Nov 6kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Lexington year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 2 – Mar 16

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 1

Peas in Lexington · freeze context from Lexington Bluegrass AP, KY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 2 – Mar 16

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 13). 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)

Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.
Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners): Vegetable Seed Planting Guide (accessed 2026-07-24)
Earliest/latest sowing dates for a May 1 last-frost / Oct 1 first-frost baseline; offsets derived by date difference from May 1. Also days-to-maturity figures.
University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.

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