When to Plant Snow Peas in Klickitat County, WA
What to do in May
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Klickitat County, Washington this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Indoor seed-starting week for snow peas
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: snow peas
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.
Klickitat County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.
At an elevation of 466 feet, Klickitat County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 77°F, so choose short-season varieties of Snow Peas to ensure they mature before fall.
Klickitat County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.8
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 Klickitat County
How your county's soil matches Snow Peas's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.8) overlaps with Snow Peas's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Klickitat County is excellent for Snow Peas — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Snow Peas will thrive.
How to Plant Snow Peas
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Snow Peas
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.7" | 3.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 6.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 6.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Klickitat 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 Planting Timeline — Klickitat County, WA
Snow Peas Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Direct Sow | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 21 |
| Harvest | June 9 | Jun 9 – Aug 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
188 days in Klickitat County
Growing Tips for Snow Peas in Klickitat County
Direct sow Snow Peas outdoors after April 14 in Klickitat County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Snow Peas in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snow Peas in Klickitat County, WA?
Klickitat County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Snow Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Klickitat County, WA?
Klickitat County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Klickitat County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Klickitat County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.