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When to Plant Snap Peas in Franklin County, VT

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.

Franklin County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 512 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Snap Peas to ensure they mature before fall.

Franklin County, VT (Zone 4a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Snap Peas needs ~625 GDD — county provides 1,550 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, VT

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 17

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 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 4a

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, VT?

Franklin County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, VT?

Franklin County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Franklin County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.