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When to Plant Snow Peas in USDA Zone 6a

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 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

Zone 6a Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Zone 6a

Where Is USDA Zone 6a?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Snow Peas planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Snow Peas Planting Calendar — Zone 6a

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 – Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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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

-10°F to -5°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

193 days (Zone 6a average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth1 inches
Plant Spacing4 inches apart
Row Spacing18 inches between rows

Growing Tips for Zone 6a

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

Saving Snow Peas Seeds

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Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

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Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

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Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snow Peas in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, plan your Snow Peas planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 10.

Can Snow Peas grow in Zone 6a?

Yes, Snow Peas can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Snow Peas (50-65 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Snow Peas in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Snow Peas from June 5 – July 31. Snow Peas takes 50-65 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 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.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 6a, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.