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When to Plant Snap Peas in Henderson County, TX

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.

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 290 feet, Henderson County receives approximately 72.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Snap Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Snap Peas root diseases.

Henderson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Henderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Snap Peas needs ~1,188 GDD — county provides 4,788 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Henderson County, TX

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for Henderson 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 Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Henderson County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Henderson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.