When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b–9a, so the right time to plant cowpea (southern pea) shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 7 in Mobile to April 20 in Jacksonville — below are local dates for 70 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 8a | March 24 | November 8 | April 7 – April 21 |
| Mobile | 9a | February 21 | December 6 | March 7 – March 21 |
| Birmingham | 8a | March 21 | November 11 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Montgomery | 8b | March 4 | November 18 | March 18 – April 1 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | March 18 | November 10 | April 1 – April 15 |
| Hoover | 8a | March 19 | November 8 | April 2 – April 16 |
| Auburn | 8b | March 13 | November 17 | March 27 – April 10 |
| Dothan | 9a | March 1 | November 24 | March 15 – March 29 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Alabama: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Alabama?
Across Alabama, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly March 7 in Mobile to April 20 in Jacksonville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Alabama?
Yes. Alabama publishes 70 cities with their own frost dates, so the right cowpea (southern pea) planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does cowpea (southern pea) take to grow in Alabama?
Cowpea (Southern Pea) takes about 60–90 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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