Blog

When to Plant Snow Peas in Lawrence County, PA

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.

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snow Peas during the growing season.

Lawrence County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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
Snow Peas needs ~834 GDD — county provides 2,421 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, PA

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, PA?

Lawrence County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, PA?

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lawrence County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.