When to Plant Snap Peas in Cache County, UT
Your May game plan for Cache County, Utah
Here's what deserves your attention in Cache County, Utah this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Transplants going out: snap peas
- Direct-sowing: 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.
Cache County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost is September 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.
At an elevation of 6,265 feet, Cache County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Snap Peas to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Snap Peas successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Cache County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.4
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 Cache County
How your county's soil matches Snap Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.4) overlaps with Snap Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Cache County is excellent for Snap Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Snap Peas.
How to Plant Snap Peas
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 3" | 1.1" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3" | 1.3" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3" | 1.5" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3" | 1.3" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Cache 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 — Cache County, UT
Snap Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 16 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 25 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 |
| Direct Sow | June 18 | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Harvest | August 20 | Aug 20 – Oct 15 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
83 days in Cache County
Growing Tips for Snap Peas in Cache County
Direct sow Snap Peas outdoors after June 11 in Cache County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 83.0-day growing season in Cache County is tight for Snap Peas (55.0-70.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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 Cache County, UT?
Cache County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 11. Plan your Snap Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cache County, UT?
Cache County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 11 and first fall frost is September 2.
Your Cache County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Cache 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.