When to Plant Cowpeas in Texas
Cowpeas (black-eyed peas) are a heat-loving legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. They are drought-tolerant and produce protein-rich pods in hot conditions.
Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Cowpeas planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Cowpeas Planting Calendar for Texas
▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 10 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Harvest | June 12 | Jun 12 – Jul 24 |
▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jul 15 |
▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Harvest | May 27 | May 27 – Jul 8 |
▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | March 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 |
| Harvest | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 28 |
▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | March 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 25 |
| Harvest | May 6 | May 6 – Jun 17 |
▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 10 |
| Harvest | April 21 | Apr 21 – Jun 2 |
▸ Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | February 1 | Feb 1 – Feb 22 |
| Harvest | April 5 | Apr 5 – May 17 |
Growing Tips for Texas
Direct sow after soil is thoroughly warm. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen as cowpeas fix their own. Harvest pods when they begin to dry on the vine for dry beans.
Cowpeas in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cowpeas in Texas?
Planting dates for Cowpeas in Texas depend on your USDA zone. Texas spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Texas for planting?
Texas contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.