Growing Cowpeas, also Black eye peas, Southern peas

Vigna Unguiculata : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Easy to grow. When soil begins to warm up. After frosts finish.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Rows 1 Metre apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Young cow peas on plant (commons.wikimedia.org - Dinesh Valke - CC BY-SA 2.0)
  • Cow Peas (black-eyed peas) (commons.wikimedia.org - Bubba73 - CCA-SA-3.0 License)

Cowpeas are heat and dry tolerant but frost will finish them. Can be grown in cooler areas if they are started under cover and planted out after last frost. They are an ancient food source and have probably been used since Neolithic times.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cowpeas

Young leaves can be cooked and used like spinach and are very high in protein. The young pods are edible.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
11 Aug 24, Alice (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Are all the soybeans grown in New Zealand black-eyed soybeans? Besides Canterbury, where else are they grown? Are there two types of black-eyed soybeans—one where the black eye part is smaller and less noticeable, and another where the black eye is more prominent and longer? The translation is: I want to buy the black-eyed soybeans with a more prominent and longer black eye. Where can I buy them?
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21 Nov 20, Promodh Kumar (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Maren Just wondering if you have any cowpea seeds in Blenheim. I would like to plant some seeds in November. Thanks
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30 Nov 20, Shiko (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, Last week I bought some cowpeas seeds form bin inn [Hamilton], and sow them and in 2-3 days it sprouted. Thanks Shady
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14 Nov 20, Promodh Kumar (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where in Manukau can I buy cowpea seeds
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15 Nov 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You will probably have to try an online supplier like Egmonts
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14 Mar 17, Phil Gray (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I purchase these peas?
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15 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
After a fair bit of searching I got onto Kiwi Seeds in Blenheim. I spoke to Maren and she said they didn't have them currently but could get them. They normally supply farmers but would be haappy to supply you some. talk to them on 3 578 0468. Trust this helps
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I would like to grow black eye beans (cowpeas) for family use as we like them fresh as well as dry , would I be able to purchase seeds . [Gardenate: we don't sell any seeds or plants]

- Donna Georgiou

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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