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When to Plant Snap Peas in Washington 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.

Washington County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 959 feet, Washington County receives approximately 41.4 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.

Washington County, VT (Zone 4a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Washington 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 (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5

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 ~625 GDD — county provides 1,480 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, VT

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 22

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 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

148 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, VT?

Washington County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, VT?

Washington County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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