When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in South Carolina
South Carolina spans USDA zones 8a–9b, 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 18 in Charleston to May 4 in Gaffney — below are local dates for 63 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 9a | February 4 | December 30 | February 18 – March 4 |
| Columbia | 8b | March 22 | November 15 | April 5 – April 19 |
| North Charleston | 9a | March 7 | November 27 | March 21 – April 4 |
| Mount Pleasant | 9a | March 13 | November 30 | March 27 – April 10 |
| Rock Hill | 8a | March 27 | November 5 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Greenville | 8a | March 28 | November 7 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Summerville | 8b | March 22 | November 12 | April 5 – April 19 |
| Goose Creek | 8b | March 7 | November 27 | March 21 – April 4 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in South Carolina: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in South Carolina?
Across South Carolina, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly February 18 in Charleston to May 4 in Gaffney, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina publishes 63 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 South Carolina?
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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