Grow your own black-eyed peas to use fresh or dried in Southern fare and other comfort foods.
These low-maintenance plants require minimal watering and fertilizer and are good choices forbeginning gardeners.
Throughout the season, you’re free to use black-eyed peas in a range of ways.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Wait until soil temperatures are at least 65F, for best results.
Black-eyed peas should be sown about 1.5 inches below the soil line.
Care Tips for Black-Eyed Pea
Black-eyed peas are good plants to grow if youre new to gardening.
Heat anddrought-tolerant, they require minimal watering and fertilizing and will grow happily in a wide variety of gardens.
Light
Black-eyed peas grow best in full sun, although they can tolerate some partial afternoon shade.
For best growth and a larger harvest, double-check your plants receiveat least 8 hours of direct lightper day.
They do not tolerate soggy conditions.
However, its a good idea to water your plants every few days if rain is scarce.
Immature, green pods can be picked before theyre bulging with seeds and cooked just like green beans.
To store, keep your dried beans in an airtight container until youre ready to use them.
Floating row covers, organic insecticidal soap spray, andneem oilcan help treat leafhopper infestations.
This vining variety is drought- andheat-tolerantand has been around since at least the 1850s.
Another classic choice, these black-eyed peas mature a bit earlier than other varieties and are very heat tolerant.
They even offer lots of garden colors, as pods range in tone from green to vibrant purple.
The short leaves and rapid growth ofradishesmake them excellent companion plants for black-eyed peas and other vining crops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
