When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6b–7b, 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 14 in Shively to May 15 in Shelbyville — below are local dates for 46 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 7a | April 6 | November 1 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 7a | April 13 | October 28 | April 27 – May 11 |
| Bowling Green | 7a | April 5 | October 31 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Owensboro | 7a | April 2 | November 1 | April 16 – April 30 |
| Covington | 6b | April 16 | October 25 | April 30 – May 14 |
| Georgetown | 6b | April 18 | October 23 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Richmond | 7a | April 15 | October 22 | April 29 – May 13 |
| Florence | 6b | April 18 | October 25 | May 2 – May 16 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Kentucky: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Kentucky?
Across Kentucky, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly April 14 in Shively to May 15 in Shelbyville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky publishes 46 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 Kentucky?
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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