When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, 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 26 in Fort Madison to May 15 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | May 7 – May 21 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | May 10 – May 24 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly April 26 in Fort Madison to May 15 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 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 Iowa?
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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