Cowpea Seeds
Useful gardening information
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.
California Blackeye #5 Cowpeas are one of the finest improved black-eyed pea varieties ever developed, combining exceptional productivity, vigorous growth, and excellent disease resistance with the rich flavor that has made black-eyed peas a Southern favorite for generations. This improved selection produces heavy yields of cream-colored peas marked by the familiar black "eye" that gives the variety its name. Well adapted to hot summer weather and capable of producing dependable harvests even under dry conditions, California Blackeye #5 has become a favorite among home gardeners, market growers, and commercial producers alike. Whether harvested fresh as shelling peas or dried for long-term storage, this variety delivers outstanding quality and dependable performance.
Why Grow This Variety?
California Blackeye #5 is valued for its exceptional adaptability and reliable yields. Unlike many cool-season legumes, cowpeas actually thrive during the hottest part of summer when many other vegetables begin to struggle. The plants tolerate heat, drought, and less-than-perfect soils remarkably well while producing generous harvests of tender peas. Their ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen also makes them an excellent crop for improving garden fertility while producing nutritious food.
Flavor Profile
Fresh California Blackeye #5 peas have a mild, creamy flavor with subtle earthy sweetness and a smooth, tender texture. When cooked, they develop the rich, comforting taste that has made black-eyed peas a staple of Southern kitchens for centuries. The flavor pairs beautifully with smoked meats, fresh vegetables, herbs, rice, and traditional seasonings.
Growing Information
- Botanical Name: Vigna unguiculata
- Plant Type: Warm-season annual legume
- Days to Harvest: Approximately 65-80 days
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained average to fertile soil
- Soil pH: 5.8-7.2
- Plant Height: 18-30 inches
- Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
- Spacing: 3-6 inches between plants
- Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Sow seeds directly after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Cowpeas dislike cold soils but quickly establish vigorous plants once warm weather arrives. California Blackeye #5 performs especially well in hot, humid climates where many other beans struggle. Regular harvesting encourages continued pod production throughout the season.
Harvest & Storage
Harvest pods while still green for fresh shelling peas, or allow them to dry completely on the plant for dried storage beans. Fresh shelled peas can be refrigerated for several days or frozen after blanching. Fully dried peas store for many months in airtight containers kept in a cool, dry location.
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpeas are among the most beloved Southern garden vegetables ever grown, prized for their exceptional flavor, heavy yields, and remarkable tolerance of summer heat. The attractive purple pods are easy to spot during harvest and contain cream-colored peas with distinctive pink eyes that cook into tender, creamy beans with a rich, buttery flavor. This heirloom favorite has been a staple of Southern gardens for generations, producing dependable harvests when many other vegetables begin to slow down in the heat of midsummer. Whether enjoyed fresh, frozen, or dried for winter meals, Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpeas continue to be one of the finest shelling peas available.
Why Grow This Variety?
Pinkeye Purple Hull is famous for thriving in hot, humid weather when many beans struggle. The colorful purple pods make harvesting much easier than green-podded varieties, allowing gardeners to quickly locate mature pods among the foliage. Plants are vigorous, highly productive, and continue producing over an extended season. In addition to providing delicious peas, they naturally improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, making them an excellent crop for both food production and garden health.
Flavor Profile
Fresh Pinkeye Purple Hull peas are known for their rich, buttery flavor and exceptionally creamy texture. They possess a mild, earthy sweetness that pairs beautifully with smoked meats, onions, herbs, and traditional Southern seasonings. Many gardeners consider Pinkeye Purple Hull to have one of the finest flavors of all cowpea varieties.
Growing Information
- Botanical Name: Vigna unguiculata
- Plant Type: Warm-season annual legume
- Days to Harvest: Approximately 65-75 days
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained average to fertile soil
- Soil pH: 5.8-7.2
- Plant Height: 18-30 inches
- Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
- Spacing: 3-6 inches between plants
- Water: Moderate; drought tolerant after establishment
Direct sow seeds after the soil has thoroughly warmed in spring. Pinkeye Purple Hull thrives in hot weather and requires very little maintenance once established. Regular harvesting of mature purple pods encourages continued flowering and pod production throughout the summer. Because the plants naturally fix nitrogen, they require relatively little fertilizer compared to many vegetables.
Harvest & Storage
Harvest pods after they develop their characteristic deep purple color but before they become overly dry. Shell the peas soon after picking for maximum freshness. Fresh peas may be refrigerated for several days, frozen after blanching, or allowed to dry completely for long-term storage. The attractive purple pods make it easy to identify mature peas ready for harvest.
Zipper Cream Pea is one of the finest cream-type Southern peas ever developed, prized for its exceptionally tender texture, delicate buttery flavor, and remarkably easy shelling. This improved cowpea variety earned its memorable name because the mature pods "zip" open effortlessly, allowing gardeners to shell large quantities of peas quickly with very little effort. Producing heavy yields of pale green pods filled with creamy ivory-colored peas, Zipper Cream has become a favorite throughout the South for fresh eating, freezing, and home gardens. Heat-loving, productive, and easy to grow, it thrives during the hottest days of summer when many other vegetables begin to struggle.
Why Grow This Variety?
Zipper Cream combines outstanding eating quality with exceptional garden performance. The plants produce abundant harvests over an extended season, while the easy-opening pods make shelling one of the quickest and most enjoyable jobs in the garden. Gardeners appreciate its excellent heat tolerance, dependable yields, and resistance to many common growing stresses. Whether you're growing Southern peas for the first time or continuing a family tradition, Zipper Cream is one of the easiest and most rewarding varieties available.
Flavor Profile
Zipper Cream Peas are celebrated for their exceptionally mild, buttery flavor and creamy texture. Unlike stronger-flavored black-eyed peas, cream peas have a more delicate taste that many gardeners consider the finest of all Southern peas. When cooked, they remain tender and smooth with a rich, almost velvety consistency that pairs beautifully with simple seasonings, smoked meats, fresh herbs, or butter.
Growing Information
- Botanical Name: Vigna unguiculata
- Plant Type: Warm-season annual legume
- Days to Harvest: Approximately 65-70 days
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained average to fertile soil
- Soil pH: 5.8-7.2
- Plant Height: 20-30 inches
- Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
- Spacing: 3-6 inches between plants
- Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Sow seeds directly into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed. Zipper Cream thrives during long, hot summers and continues producing well through periods of intense heat. Plants require relatively little fertilizer thanks to their nitrogen-fixing ability, and regular harvesting encourages continued pod production throughout the season.
Harvest & Storage
Harvest pods when they are fully developed but still green for the finest fresh peas. The pods open easily along their seams, allowing the peas to "zip" free with minimal effort. Fresh peas store well in the refrigerator for several days and freeze exceptionally well after blanching. Mature dry peas may also be stored for months in airtight containers.
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Serving gardeners since 1992
State of Mississippi Seedmen's Permit #C-391, Ohio 90152, Minnesota 20086777