Heat-loving Southern staple also called cowpea. Incredibly drought-tolerant and productive. Fixes nitrogen abundantly and improves soil. Fresh or dried for storage.
Planting calendar
Direct sow / transplant
2 weeks after your last spring frost.
Needs warm soil (65°F+); extremely heat and drought tolerant; excellent cover crop and soil builder
Spacing & harvest
Plant spacing: 4-6 inches
Row spacing: 24-36 inches
Days to harvest: 60-90 days
Ready when: For fresh: harvest when pods are plump and seeds visible through pod; for dry: leave on plant until pods rattle
Companion planting
Plant near
Corn — Fixes nitrogen for corn, tolerates partial shade from stalks
Okra — Both love heat, cowpeas fix nitrogen for okra
Get black-eyed pea planting dates for your exact zone
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