When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in New Mexico
New Mexico spans USDA zones 6a–8b, 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 March 14 in Chaparral to June 7 in Las Vegas — below are local dates for 23 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 7b | April 23 | October 20 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | March 12 | November 13 | March 26 – April 9 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | April 8 | November 1 | April 22 – May 6 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | May 14 | October 6 | May 28 – June 11 |
| Roswell | 7b | April 13 | October 30 | April 27 – May 11 |
| Farmington | 7a | May 2 | October 13 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Hobbs | 8a | March 28 | November 10 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Clovis | 7a | April 14 | October 29 | April 28 – May 12 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in New Mexico: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in New Mexico?
Across New Mexico, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly March 14 in Chaparral to June 7 in Las Vegas, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico publishes 23 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 New Mexico?
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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