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 warm locations only.

Frost tolerant

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

Feeding

Not usually required.

Spacing

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

Sow and Plant

Sow in summer, 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

< Back to All Plants

Pests which Affect Cowpeas

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail