When to Plant Snow Peas in Mineral County, CO
Your May game plan for Mineral County, Colorado
Here's what deserves your attention in Mineral County, Colorado this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Seed snow peas outdoors
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Transplants going out: 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.
Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.
At an elevation of 7,809 feet, Mineral County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Snow Peas to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Snow Peas successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Mineral County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Mineral County
How your county's soil matches Snow Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.0) overlaps with Snow Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mineral County is excellent for Snow Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Snow Peas.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Snow Peas.
How to Plant Snow Peas
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Snow Peas
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Snow Peas
Snow Peas needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Snow Peas Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Mineral County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Snow Peas Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Mineral County, CO
Snow Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 10 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | August 5 | Aug 5 – Sep 30 |
| Fall Sowing | July 5 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
50–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
95 days in Mineral County
Growing Tips for Snow Peas in Mineral County
Direct sow Snow Peas outdoors after June 10 in Mineral County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Snow Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Mineral County receives only 13" of rain annually. Snow Peas needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Snow Peas in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snow Peas in Mineral County, CO?
Mineral County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mineral County, CO?
Mineral County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 13.
Your Mineral County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mineral County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.