When to plant cowpea (southern pea) in Wisconsin
Wisconsin spans USDA zones 4b–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 May 3 in Pleasant Prairie to May 25 in River Falls — below are local dates for 97 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 6a | April 26 | October 18 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Madison | 5a | May 1 | October 9 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Green Bay | 5b | May 7 | October 9 | May 21 – June 4 |
| Kenosha | 5b | April 28 | October 19 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Racine | 6a | April 20 | October 24 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Appleton | 5b | May 4 | October 6 | May 18 – June 1 |
| Waukesha | 5b | May 1 | October 13 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Eau Claire | 4b | April 24 | October 14 | May 8 – May 22 |
Cowpea (Southern Pea) in Wisconsin: FAQ
When can I plant cowpea (southern pea) in Wisconsin?
Across Wisconsin, the time to direct-sow cowpea (southern pea) spans roughly May 3 in Pleasant Prairie to May 25 in River Falls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cowpea (southern pea) planting date vary across Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin publishes 97 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 Wisconsin?
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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