Cowpeas Growing Guide

Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata

Crop Rotation Group

Legumes (Pea and Bean family) ●

Soil

Any average, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun in very warm locations only.

Frost tolerant

No. Cowpeas are semi-tropical plants that crave warm growing conditions.

Feeding

Not usually required, but may be needed if plants grow slowly even though the weather is comfortably warm.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 35cm (1' 1") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow when the soil is warm. Cowpeas will not germinate in cold soil.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Cowpeas are a good nitrogen-fixing summer cover crop for warm climates, where the vegetable seasons are sharply divided by a period of hot weather.

Harvesting

Pull up or cut down plants any time after they are about 4 weeks old, but before they develop pods.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Cowpeas

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail