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When to Plant Snap Peas in Montague County, TX

Montague County, Texas Zone 8a May

This month in Montague County, Texas

A quick May briefing for Montague County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Time to start snap peas inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

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  • First harvests: snap peas

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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.

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,867 feet, Montague County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Snap Peas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Snap Peas root diseases.

Montague County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Montague County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Montague 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 loam soil in Montague County is excellent for Snap Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (2.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Snap Peas.

How to Plant Snap Peas

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

Succession Planting Snap Peas

4
successive plantings in your 223-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 10.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2.2" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Montague 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 needs ~1,281 GDD — county provides 4,571 GDD Excellent fit

Snap Peas Planting Timeline — Montague County, TX

Snap Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Montague County

Growing Tips for Snap Peas in Montague County

Direct sow Snap Peas outdoors after March 28 in Montague County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Montague County reach 94°F — grow Snap Peas as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snap Peas in Montague County, TX?

Montague County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montague County, TX?

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Montague County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Montague County (Zone 8a). 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 Montague County, TX. 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.