When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in North Dakota
North Dakota spans USDA zones 4a–4b, 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 18 in Fargo to June 4 in Williston — below are local dates for 9 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 4a | May 4 | October 2 | May 18 – June 1 |
| Bismarck | 4a | May 10 | September 30 | May 24 – June 7 |
| Grand Forks | 4a | May 10 | October 1 | May 24 – June 7 |
| Minot | 4a | May 10 | October 1 | May 24 – June 7 |
| West Fargo | 4a | May 4 | October 2 | May 18 – June 1 |
| Williston | 4a | May 21 | September 21 | June 4 – June 18 |
| Dickinson | 4b | May 20 | September 22 | June 3 – June 17 |
| Mandan | 4a | May 13 | September 27 | May 27 – June 10 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in North Dakota: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in North Dakota?
Across North Dakota, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly May 18 in Fargo to June 4 in Williston, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota publishes 9 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 North Dakota?
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.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.