Southern Peas

Southern peas (cowpeas) are a cornerstone of warm-season gardens, prized for heat tolerance, drought resilience, and delicious, versatile pods. Over decades of gardening in hot California summers, I’ve found that selecting the right variety for your climate and taste preference dramatically improves yield and harvest satisfaction. This guide shares hands-on experience with the most popular…

Southern peas—also called cowpeas, field peas, or crowder peas—are one of the most dependable warm-season crops for home gardeners. If you garden in a hot summer climate, few vegetables reward you with more productivity for so little effort. I’ve grown Southern peas for decades in both inland valleys and hot summer regions, and I return…

Southern peas, often called cowpeas, have been a staple of warm-season gardens for centuries. Their history in the southern United States dates back to the colonial era, when they were valued for their heat tolerance, drought resilience, and high protein content. Over time, these legumes became integral to traditional southern cuisine and gardening practices. Understanding…

Southern peas—also called cowpeas, field peas, and crowder peas—are at their best when grown in a hot, sunny, well-drained location. After more than 30 years of growing warm-season legumes in raised beds, mounded beds, and traditional garden rows, I’ve learned that choosing the right spot is the single most important step for a productive Southern…

Southern peas—whether black-eyed, crowder, or cream types—are among the easiest warm-season crops to time correctly once you understand how strongly they respond to soil temperature and day length. After decades of growing Southern peas in hot, dry summers and year-round gardening climates, I’ve found that planting date is the key factor that determines yield, pod…

Southern peas—black-eyed, crowder, or cream types—are among the most productive warm-season legumes you can grow, especially if you plant and space them to match their natural growth habit. After more than 30 years of growing Southern peas in raised beds, mounded rows, and wide-row plantings, I’ve found that spacing is one of the biggest yield-makers…