When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Nebraska
Nebraska 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 30 in Omaha to May 25 in North Platte — below are local dates for 17 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 6a | April 16 | October 18 | April 30 – May 14 |
| Lincoln | 6a | April 24 | October 13 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Bellevue | 6a | April 17 | October 19 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Grand Island | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Kearney | 5b | April 30 | October 10 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Fremont | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Norfolk | 5b | May 1 | October 4 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Papillion | 6a | April 21 | October 18 | May 5 – May 19 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Nebraska: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Nebraska?
Across Nebraska, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly April 30 in Omaha to May 25 in North Platte, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska publishes 17 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 Nebraska?
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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