Blog

When to Plant Snow Peas in Marion County, IN

Snow peas are a flat-podded pea variety eaten whole when the seeds inside are still tiny. They are essential in Asian stir-fries and have a delicate, sweet flavor.

Marion County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,343 feet, Marion County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snow Peas during the growing season.

Marion County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 632 gal / 100 sq ft
Snow Peas needs ~834 GDD — county provides 2,755 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, IN

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Marion County

Direct sow in early spring. Pick pods frequently when they are flat and tender for best flavor. Provide support for climbing varieties.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snow Peas in Marion County, IN?

Marion County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, IN?

Marion County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Marion County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.