5 Reasons to Grow Cowpeas in Your Garden This Summer

An article by Travis Key from Lazy Dog Farm

The term “cowpea” might not sound the most appetizing thing to have on your plate. But when it comes to choosing vegetables for summer gardening, cowpeas, also known as field peas, are a fantastic option. Not only are they resilient and easy to grow, but they also offer numerous benefits for both gardeners and the soil. Let's explore why cowpeas are an excellent choice for your summer garden.

1. Heat Tolerance and Drought Resistance

Cowpeas are particularly well-suited to the hot, dry conditions of summer. Unlike many other crops that struggle in high temperatures, cowpeas thrive in the heat. They are incredibly drought-resistant, making them a reliable crop even during periods of low rainfall. This resilience is due to their deep root system, which allows them to access moisture well below the soil surface.

2. Nutritional Value

Cowpeas are not just easy to grow; they are also extremely nutritious. They are an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Cowpeas are rich in folate, iron, and magnesium. Including cowpeas in your diet can help improve your overall health, providing essential nutrients that support various bodily functions.

3. Soil Improvement

One of the lesser-known benefits of growing cowpeas is their ability to improve soil health. Cowpeas are legumes, which means they have the unique ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, cowpeas convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This process enriches the soil and provides nitrogen for subsequent crops.

4. Pest and Disease Resistance

Cowpeas are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, which makes them a low-maintenance crop. Their natural resilience reduces the need for chemical pesticides, making them an excellent choice for organic gardening. This resistance also means that cowpeas can be grown alongside other vegetables as a companion plant, helping to protect more vulnerable crops from pests and diseases.

5. Versatility in the Kitchen

Another compelling reason to grow cowpeas is their culinary versatility. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and stews to curries and side dishes. Both the pods and the seeds of cowpeas are edible. This versatility ensures that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in many delicious and nutritious meals throughout the year.

Cowpea Growing Tips

Cowpeas can be planted anytime in the warmer months once the risk of frost has passed. Just make sure you have 100 or so days before your last frost date if planting in late summer.

There are a wide range of options as far as cowpea varieties go. When searching for cowpea seeds online, you’ll often find popular varieties like “Zipper Peas,” “Pinkeye Peas,” and “Blackeye Peas.” But with a little digging you’ll also find many heirloom varieties that have been preserved by small gardeners and farmers over the years.

Once you decide the variety you’ll be growing, plant seeds 1-1.5” deep and approximately 4” apart. While cowpeas are drought-resistant, they’ll perform better with some regular watering. But you typically don’t have to water them as the other vegetables in your backyard garden.

Cowpeas usually don’t need a generous amount of fertilizer to perform well, but it’s not a bad idea to pour a little AgroThrive Fruit & Flower alongside the plants when they’re small. This will ensure they’ve got the phosphorous and potassium they need to thrive.

Harvest the pods when the peas inside start to fill the pods. Some varieties will turn purple (called “Purple Hull Peas”) when they’re ready to harvest, while others will turn more of a cream color. Either way, you should notice an obvious change in pod color as the peas are enlarging inside the pods.

Once shelled, the peas can be boiled and eaten fresh or blanched and frozen for later. Cowpeas are easy to preserve in freezer bags, which is another great reason to grow them. If you have an abundant harvest, you can preserve the harvest and enjoy them all winter long!

Thousands of gardeners have been tuning in to The Lazy Dog Farm YouTube channel where Travis covers a variety topics ranging from how to successfully start seedlings to how to make a flavorful hot sauce that packs a punch. Accompanied by his wife Brooklyn and their two boys, the gardens on their 2 acre homestead in southwest Georgia are always filled with a wide variety of vegetables that are enjoyed fresh or preserved for later.