When to plant southern pea in Chicago, Illinois
April 10 – April 24
Direct-sow outdoors · typical Chicago yearClimate basis: NOAA station Chicago Northerly Is, IL (USC00111550), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Chicago (ZCTA 60602 centroid), elevation 583 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow southern pea from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 10). One year in ten still freezes after April 25.
The Chicago year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 25
Every method, with its sources
Direct-sow outdoors
Apr 10 – Apr 24Maryland Extension says to wait until all danger of frost is passed, Alabama Extension says to plant after any danger of frost has passed, and Texas A&M's crop guide lists the optimum time as soil above 65°F with danger of frost over; all three agree on the last-frost date, so the point rule opens the window at the anchor and runs 14 days. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 10). Alabama Cooperative Extension System · Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Fall planting
Aug 22 – Sep 1Arkansas Extension gives an explicit frost-anchored fall range — plant about 65 to 75 days prior to the average frost date — which encodes directly as 75 to 65 days before the first fall freeze; it is the only source in this set that states fall timing relative to frost rather than by calendar month. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 5). University of Maryland Extension · Alabama Cooperative Extension System · University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service · Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Variety assumption: Assumes a standard 60–70 day bush or semi-vining southern pea; the fall window is Arkansas' allowance for the crop to set and fill pods before the first freeze.
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (4)
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Grow More Peas (Southern) (accessed 2026-07-25)"Plant April through July after any danger of frost has passed."
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Southern Pea (Cowpea) — Commercial and Specialty Crop Guides (accessed 2026-07-25)"Optimum Time Soil temperature > 65°F and danger of frost is over"
- University of Maryland Extension: Growing Southern Peas in a Home Garden (accessed 2026-07-25)"Wait until all danger of frost is passed and the soil has warmed before planting."
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Southern Peas (FSA-6020), Home Gardening Series (accessed 2026-07-25)"For fall planting, plant about 65 to 75 days prior to the average frost date to be sure of production."