When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 7a–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 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | April 12 – April 26 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | April 6 – April 20 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 21 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | March 30 – April 13 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | April 17 – May 1 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | April 15 – April 29 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 21 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | April 7 – April 21 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly March 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 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 Virginia?
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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