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When to Plant Snap Peas in Comanche County, KS

Snap peas have edible pods with plump, sweet peas inside, combining the best features of snow peas and garden peas. They are a garden favorite for fresh eating.

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season.

Comanche County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Comanche County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Comanche County

How your county's soil matches Snap Peas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.5) is within Snap Peas's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Comanche County is excellent for Snap Peas โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Snap Peas.

How to Plant Snap Peas

1"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Snap Peas

4
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 161 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Snap Peas

Snap Peas needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Snap Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.9" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.8" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3" 1.6" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Comanche County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Snap Peas Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Snap Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Comanche County, KS

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 19

Plant 1" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Comanche County

Growing Tips for Snap Peas in Comanche County

Direct sow Snap Peas outdoors after April 15 in Comanche County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Snap Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Provide a trellis 4-6 feet tall. Harvest when pods are plump and snap cleanly when bent.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snap Peas in Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Comanche County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Comanche County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.