When to Plant Pea in Zone 6
As of 2026-09-11, USDA Zone 6 (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map) has an average annual winter minimum of -10°F to 0°F. PlantingWindowPlan's Cool-season scenario preset for pea treats a day as a planting candidate only once measured soil reaches 45°F and the forecast overnight low stays at or above 35°F.
- Crop
- Pea
- USDA zone
- Zone 6
- Zone winter minimum
- -10°F to 0°F
- Preset used
- Cool-season scenario
- Minimum soil temperature
- 45°F
- Minimum overnight air
- 35°F
- Maximum daytime air
- 75°F
What zone 6 means for pea
Zone 6 is typical of the mid-Atlantic, southern New England, and eastern Kansas, and describes average winter cold, not a specific last-frost calendar date. Areas in this zone generally have a moderate to long frost-free growing season, but the exact last-frost date varies by city, elevation and year. Pea is a cool-season crop typically sown as soon as soil is workable; this app’s Cool-season preset applies the same lowered thresholds.
To turn this into a real date: open the tool, use the ZIP-based zone lookup to confirm your exact zone, then import the live forecast for your city and enter a measured soil temperature. The candidate day is the first forecast day that passes every threshold above, not a fixed date on a calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What USDA zone am I in?
Zone 6 covers areas with an average annual winter minimum temperature between -10°F and 0°F, per the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Use the tool's ZIP-based zone lookup for your exact zone; national zone bands do not replace a local reading.
Does zone 6 tell me the exact planting date?
No. Hardiness zone describes winter cold, not a specific last-frost date. Use the tool's live weather import for your location, plus your own soil measurement, to set the actual candidate day.
What thresholds does this page use for pea?
The Cool-season scenario preset: minimum soil 45°F, minimum overnight air 35°F, maximum daytime air 75°F. These are editable starting assumptions, not a universal rule.