---

Cowpea Seeds

---

Useful gardening infomation

Cowpea is one of the most ancient crops known to man. Its origin and subsequent domestication is associated with pearl millet and sorghum in Africa. It is now a broadly adapted and highly variable crop, cultivated around the world primarily for seed, but also as a vegetable (for leafy greens, green pods, fresh shelled green peas, and shelled dried peas), a cover crop and for fodder. Cowpea has a number of common names, including crowder pea, black-eyed pea and southern pea.

All cultivated cowpea varieties are considered warm season and adapted to heat and drought conditions. Cowpeas typically reach a canopy height of 30 to 36 inches, although the more determinate bush types may reach only 24 inches. The seed pods are borne above the leaf axil, making the pods very visible. The seed pod is typically 3 to 6 inches long and has 6 to 13 seeds per pod. The seed weight per bushel is 60 pounds with about 3,000 to 4,000 seeds per pound. The germination of the seed is rapid at soil temperatures above 65° F.

---

Sowing Instructions

Plant cowpeas outdoors directly in the garden after last frost date. Germination is improved when soil temperature is above 65 F. Cowpeas require a long growing season with 4 months of warm days. They are drought resistant and basically can grow anywhere corn can grow. Plants can grow 8 to 36" tall. Do not plant in cold wet soil or you may experience poor germination.

Informative articles found on the web:

How to grow Cowpeas
Black-eyed Peas and Rice Recipe
Cowpeas Chow-Chow Recipe
Black-eyed Baby Cakes Recipe
More Cowpea Recipes

---

Seeds

---

VUD023 Mississippi Silver 60-65 days. Large seeded brown crowder with pale green silvery pods at green shell stage. Pods are 6 to 6 ½ inches, slightly curved, light straw color when dry. Low bushy plant, few runners.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )

VUD024 CT Dimpled Brown Crowder 70 days. Bush type. Prolific yielder. Pods contain 12-15 peas, closely bunched together.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )

VUD025 CT Purple Hull Pinkeye 63-65 days. Vigorous bush type to semi-vining plant grows 18-24 inches tall. Pods turn purple at shell stage, are 6 to 7 inches long, and slightly above foliage. Peas light green with red eye at green shell stage, turn white with maroon eye when dry. Medium size, rounded on ends. Good producer.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )

VUD026 California Blackeye #5 55-60 days. The dominant variety of all Southern peas across the country. The vines are upright to semi-spreading, medium coarse stem and branches, medium foliage and fair drought resistance. Pods 6 to 8 inches long, early maturing. Seed medium to large. A favorite.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )

VUD027 Texas Cream 40 Plant produces good yields of light colored cowpeas. The plants are small. They are highly tolerant to drought and a wide variety of soil conditions, including heavy clay and sandy soils. Also known as Southern Peas or Cream Peas. A Southern favorite.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )

VUD028 Mississippi Purple Plant produces high yields of reddish-purple pods. Very delicious large brown peas. This variety has less vines and more pods over the plant. Very easy to shell pods.

  $2.25 per pack 1.25 ounce package ( plants about 12-15 ft. row )