When to Plant Snow Peas in USDA Zone 4a
Top priorities for Zone 4a gardeners in April
Each item below is timed to Zone 4a's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
Looking ahead to May
- Transplants going out: snow peas
- Direct-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 4a, the average last spring frost is around May 6 and the first fall frost is around September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Zone 4a
Where Is USDA Zone 4a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 4a. Click any state to see the Snow Peas planting schedule for that location.
Snow Peas Planting Calendar — Zone 4a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Direct Sow | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Harvest | July 1 | Jul 1 – Aug 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 4a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 4a 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
145 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 (~145 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
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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 4a?
In Zone 4a, plan your Snow Peas planting around the average last frost date of May 6. Start seeds indoors around March 25. Direct sow outdoors around April 29. Transplant seedlings around May 6.
Can Snow Peas grow in Zone 4a?
Yes, Snow Peas can grow well in Zone 4a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 4a has a growing season of approximately 145 days, which is sufficient for Snow Peas (50-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Snow Peas in Zone 4a?
In Zone 4a, expect to harvest Snow Peas from July 1 – August 26. Snow Peas takes 50-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 4a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 4a is around May 6, and the first fall frost is around September 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 145 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.