When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, 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 April 18 in Granite City to May 15 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | April 24 – May 8 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 29 – May 13 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 30 – May 14 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly April 18 in Granite City to May 15 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 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 Illinois?
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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