When to Plant Snow Peas in USDA Zone 3b
May in Zone 3b — your action list
May is a pivotal month for Zone 3b gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Move snow peas from tray to bed
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Plant snow peas from seed, right in the garden
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: snow peas
- Fall sowing: snow peas
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.
In Zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Zone 3b
Where Is USDA Zone 3b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Snow Peas planting schedule for that location.
Snow Peas Planting Calendar — Zone 3b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Aug 30 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
50–65 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
135 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 4 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 18 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Snow Peas in Zone
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Snow Peas in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~135 days). Start Snow Peas indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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Saving Snow Peas Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Snow Peas in Other Zones
Snow Peas by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snow Peas in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, plan your Snow Peas planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Start seeds indoors around March 29. Direct sow outdoors around May 3. Transplant seedlings around May 10.
Can Snow Peas grow in Zone 3b?
Yes, Snow Peas can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Snow Peas (50-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Snow Peas in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Snow Peas from July 5 – August 30. Snow Peas takes 50-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Snow Peas?
Good companion plants for Snow Peas include Carrots, Radish, Turnip. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.