When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4b–6b, 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 3 in Port Huron to June 2 in Cadillac — below are local dates for 101 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 6b | April 27 | October 25 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | May 6 | October 10 | May 20 – June 3 |
| Warren | 6b | April 21 | October 31 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | April 30 | October 24 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Ann Arbor | 6a | May 5 | October 10 | May 19 – June 2 |
| Lansing | 6a | May 1 | October 13 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Dearborn | 6b | May 1 | October 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Livonia | 6b | May 1 | October 17 | May 15 – May 29 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Michigan: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Michigan?
Across Michigan, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly May 3 in Port Huron to June 2 in Cadillac, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Michigan?
Yes. Michigan publishes 101 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 Michigan?
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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