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When to Plant Snap Peas in Butler County, PA

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.

Butler County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,098 feet, Butler County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season.

Butler County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Butler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 19

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 68 gal / 100 sq ft
Snap Peas needs ~953 GDD — county provides 2,729 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Butler County, PA

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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

179 days

Growing Tips for Butler 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 Butler County, PA?

Butler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Butler County, PA?

Butler County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Butler 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 Butler County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.