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When to Plant Snow Peas in Lehigh 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.

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Lehigh County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snow Peas during the growing season.

Lehigh County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Lehigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Snow Peas needs ~963 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Lehigh County, PA

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
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 6b

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Lehigh 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 Lehigh County, PA?

Lehigh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lehigh County, PA?

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lehigh County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Lehigh County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.