Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant snap peas in Washington DC.
Sow between Feb 12 to Mar 26 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 16 to Aug 24. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Snap Peas dates for a typical Washington DC season.
Direct sow
Feb 12 to Mar 26
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 2" apart.
Fall round
Aug 16 to Aug 24
Counted back from the ~Nov 8 first frost.
Harvest
~62 days later
~0.4 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Washington DC spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7b to 7b. 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 Washington DC: watch for
The pests that find snap peas here.
A middle-length season, about 217 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: Washington DC gives snap peas about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 62 days to a first harvest. That fits about 16 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting snap peas in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant snap peas in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow snap peas between Feb 12 to Mar 26, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 5. There's also a fall window: Aug 16 to Aug 24. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Washington DC?+
Washington DC spans zones 7b–7b, mostly zone 7. 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.