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Southern peas—black-eyed, crowder, and cream peas—are some of the most resilient warm-season legumes you can grow. After more than 30 years of gardening in hot, dry climates and year-round beds, I’ve learned that Southern peas become even easier when they’re paired with the right neighbors. Good companions help shade soil, attract beneficial insects, suppress pests,…
Growing chickpeas—garbanzo beans—in containers is not only possible but surprisingly productive when you understand what the plants need. After decades of experimenting with legumes in raised beds, fabric pots, and patio containers, I’ve learned that chickpeas thrive in pots only when you match their natural habits: deep taproots, cool-season growth, and light, fast-draining soil. Here’s…
Southern peas (cowpeas) are among the most resilient warm-season legumes, but even these heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants face a handful of pests and diseases—especially in midsummer. After growing southern peas for decades in two hot, dry California climates, I’ve learned that early identification and simple, organic-preventive steps keep most problems from becoming serious. This guide blends…
After years of growing lima beans in raised beds, mounds, and containers, I’ve learned that proper storage and preservation is key to enjoying your harvest year-round. Depending on when and how you pick your beans—fresh, shelling, or dry—different methods work best. Here’s my experience-based guide for keeping lima beans fresh, frozen, dried, or canned while…
Chickpeas thrive in well-drained soil, making raised beds an ideal option for home gardeners. After decades of growing legumes in raised beds, wide-row plots, and Mediterranean-style gardens, I’ve found that proper soil preparation, spacing, and care dramatically improve yields and plant health. Raised beds warm faster in spring, improve drainage, and reduce soil compaction—all critical…
Southern peas—whether black-eyed peas, purple hulls, cream peas, or crowders—are wonderfully versatile. One of the things I love most about growing them is that you can harvest them at three distinct stages, depending on what you want to cook: tender green snaps, fresh shelling peas, or fully mature dry peas for storage. After growing southern…
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