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When to Plant Snap Peas in Iron County, MO

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.

Iron County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 1,227 feet, Iron County receives approximately 35.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season.

Iron County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Iron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Snap Peas needs ~906 GDD — county provides 2,726 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Iron County, MO

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

55โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Iron County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snap Peas in Iron County, MO?

Iron County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iron County, MO?

Iron County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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