When to Plant Snap Peas in Murray County, MN
May in Murray County, Minnesota — your action list
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Move snap peas from tray to bed
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Seed snap peas outdoors
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: snap peas
Snap peas have edible pods with plump, sweet peas inside, combining the best features of snow peas and garden peas. They are a garden favorite for fresh eating.
Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.
At an elevation of 1,278 feet, Murray County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Snap Peas to ensure they mature before fall.
Murray County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.3
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 Murray County
How your county's soil matches Snap Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) is within Snap Peas's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Murray County is excellent for Snap Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Snap Peas.
How to Plant Snap Peas
Succession Planting Snap Peas
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Snap Peas
Snap Peas needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Snap Peas Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Murray County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Snap 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.
Snap Peas Planting Timeline — Murray County, MN
Snap Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Direct Sow | May 11 | May 11 – Jun 1 |
| Harvest | July 13 | Jul 13 – Sep 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
151 days in Murray County
Growing Tips for Snap Peas in Murray County
Direct sow Snap Peas outdoors after May 04 in Murray County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Snap 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 as soon as soil can be worked. Provide a trellis 4-6 feet tall. Harvest when pods are plump and snap cleanly when bent.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Snap Peas in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snap Peas in Murray County, MN?
Murray County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Murray County, MN?
Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 2.
Your Murray County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Murray 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.