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When to Plant Snap Peas in Douglas County, NE

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.

Douglas County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 575 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 28.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season.

Douglas County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Snap Peas

Snap 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 Snap Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Douglas County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Snap Peas Planting Timeline — Douglas County, NE

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Douglas County

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snap Peas in Douglas County, NE?

Douglas County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, NE?

Douglas County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Douglas County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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

Sources & credits

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