When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b–9a, 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 February 26 in Biloxi to April 17 in Oxford — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 8b | March 6 | November 19 | March 20 – April 3 |
| Gulfport | 9a | February 23 | December 3 | March 9 – March 23 |
| Southaven | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 30 – April 13 |
| Biloxi | 9a | February 12 | December 14 | February 26 – March 12 |
| Hattiesburg | 8b | March 7 | November 23 | March 21 – April 4 |
| Olive Branch | 8a | March 26 | November 6 | April 9 – April 23 |
| Tupelo | 8a | March 21 | November 10 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Meridian | 8b | March 16 | November 12 | March 30 – April 13 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Mississippi: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Mississippi?
Across Mississippi, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly February 26 in Biloxi to April 17 in Oxford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
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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