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When to Plant Snap Peas in Steuben County, NY

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.

Steuben County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 1,195 feet, Steuben County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season.

Steuben County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Steuben County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Snap Peas needs ~953 GDD — county provides 2,150 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Steuben County, NY

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Steuben 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 Steuben County, NY?

Steuben County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Steuben County, NY?

Steuben County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Steuben County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Steuben County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.