When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Maine
Maine 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 May 9 in Lewiston to May 30 in Sanford — below are local dates for 13 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Lewiston | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Bangor | 5a | May 4 | October 4 | May 18 – June 1 |
| South Portland | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Auburn | 5b | April 25 | October 19 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Biddeford | 6a | May 9 | October 3 | May 23 – June 6 |
| Sanford | 5b | May 16 | September 30 | May 30 – June 13 |
| Saco | 6a | April 26 | October 15 | May 10 – May 24 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Maine: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Maine?
Across Maine, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly May 9 in Lewiston to May 30 in Sanford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Maine?
Yes. Maine publishes 13 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 Maine?
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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