Zone 6b covers 17 days of last-frost dates. We measured Springfield, MO at Apr 6 and Detroit, MI at Apr 23. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 6b
Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 19 and first fall frost Nov 6 — about 201 frost-free days. Peas tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Aug 21 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does peas take to grow in zone 6b?
Peas matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 6b that means sowing around Mar 15 and first picking around May 9.
Will peas survive frost in zone 6b?
Yes — peas tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 19) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 6).
Can I plant a second crop of peas in zone 6b?
Yes — in zone 6b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 21 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full peas growing guide →