Maine · zones 3b–6a
When to plant snap peas in Maine.
Sow between Mar 17 to Apr 28 in a typical year, keyed to Maine's median last frost around May 8. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 15 to Jul 23. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Snap Peas dates for a typical Maine season.
Direct sow
Mar 17 to Apr 28
Keyed to the ~May 8 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 2" apart.
Fall round
Jul 15 to Jul 23
Counted back from the ~Oct 7 first frost.
Harvest
~62 days later
~0.4 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Maine spans more than one climate: Zone 5 is the most common zone, but the state runs 3b to 6a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Maine: watch for
The pests that find snap peas here.
A middle-length season, about 152 frost-free days, means snap pea overlaps pea aphid for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Clusters on the tender growing tips where new tendrils form.
Organic fix: Knock colonies loose with a firm blast from the hose before they build.
White powder on leaves after warm dry days and cool, dewy nights.
Organic fix: Grow resistant varieties and trellis so vines are not lying on each other.
Root rot
Seedlings stall and yellow from the bottom up, and a lifted plant shows soft brown roots instead of firm white ones.
Organic fix: Sow into a raised or well-drained bed, work compost into heavy ground, ease off the water, and move peas to fresh ground next year.
Your season math: Maine gives snap peas about 152 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 62 days to a first harvest. That fits about 10 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting snap peas in Maine: questions
When should I plant snap peas in Maine?+
In a typical Maine year, sow snap peas between Mar 17 to Apr 28, keyed to the state's median last frost around May 8. There's also a fall window: Jul 15 to Jul 23. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Maine?+
Maine spans zones 3b–6a, mostly zone 5. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many snap peas plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.