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When to Plant Snow Peas in Venango 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.

Venango County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 1,166 feet, Venango County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Snow Peas during the growing season.

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

Venango County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7

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 ~877 GDD — county provides 2,531 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline โ€” Venango County, PA

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 25

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

166 days

Growing Tips for Venango 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 Venango County, PA?

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

What planting zone is Venango County, PA?

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

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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