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When to Plant Snow Peas in Walton County, FL

Walton County, Florida Zone 9a May

What to do in May

Your garden in Walton County, Florida is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Bring in the snow peas

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: snow peas

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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.

Walton County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 200 feet, Walton County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Snow Peas may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Snow Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Snow Peas root diseases.

Walton County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Walton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27

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 Walton County

How your county's soil matches Snow Peas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) is more acidic than Snow Peas prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Walton County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Snow Peas will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Snow Peas.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Snow Peas.

How to Plant Snow Peas

1"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Snow Peas

5
successive plantings in your 246-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 20.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 873 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Walton 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 needs ~1,222 GDD — county provides 5,227 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Walton County, FL

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 14
Harvest May 9 May 9 – Jul 4
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 – Oct 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

246 days in Walton County

Growing Tips for Snow Peas in Walton County

Direct sow Snow Peas outdoors after March 14 in Walton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Walton County dries quickly — mulch Snow Peas with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Snow Peas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snow Peas in Walton County, FL?

Walton County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walton County, FL?

Walton County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Walton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Walton County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Walton County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.