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When to Plant Snow Peas in San Augustine County, TX

San Augustine County, Texas Zone 9a May

May in the garden — San Augustine County, Texas

May is a pivotal month for San Augustine County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting snow peas

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

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

San Augustine County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 146 feet, San Augustine County receives approximately 62.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°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.

San Augustine County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

San Augustine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22

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 San Augustine County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.6) overlaps with Snow Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 21.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in San Augustine 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 ~1,265 GDD — county provides 5,632 GDD Excellent fit

Snow Peas Planting Timeline — San Augustine County, TX

Snow Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 – Mar 5
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 – Jun 25
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 – Oct 5

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 Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

256 days in San Augustine County

Growing Tips for Snow Peas in San Augustine County

Direct sow Snow Peas outdoors after March 05 in San Augustine County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in San Augustine 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.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in San Augustine County, provide afternoon shade for Snow Peas and water deeply in the morning.

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 San Augustine County, TX?

San Augustine County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Augustine County, TX?

San Augustine County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your San Augustine County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for San Augustine 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.

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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 San Augustine 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.