Field Peas (Pisum sativum & Vigna spp.): The Southern Legume

layout: base.njk title: Field Peas description: Growing Field Peas in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: legume

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

For: The Loop Farmstead, New Martinsville WV 26155
Zone: 6b/7a
Soil: Heavy clay

Understanding Field Peas

Types of Field Peas

Southern Peas (Cowpeas - Vigna unguiculata): - Black-eyed peas - Crowder peas - Purple hull peas - Purple-podded peas - Heat-loving, drought-tolerant - Plant: Late spring (after soil warms)

Austrian Winter Peas (Pisum sativum): - True pea (garden pea relative) - Cold-hardy (winter cover crop + food) - Plant: Fall (overwinters) - Dual-purpose: Cover crop and food

Field Peas (Pisum sativum var. arvense): - Similar to Austrian winter but spring-planted - Grown for dried peas - Animal feed, human food

For The Loop Farmstead: - Southern peas (cowpeas): Primary choice for food production - Austrian winter peas: Cover crop that can be harvested for food - Both are valuable—grow both

2. Alabama Blue

Type: Crowder Pea
Days to Maturity: 90-100 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange
Characteristics: Blue-gray seeds, crowder type, heritage variety
Uses: Traditional Southern dishes

Why Grow It: Alabama Blue is a heritage crowder pea with distinctive blue-gray color. The color comes from anthocyanins (antioxidants). It's a piece of Southern agricultural history.

Purple Hull Peas

4. Purple Hull (Various)

Type: Purple Hull Pea
Days to Maturity: 85-95 days
Source: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, regional suppliers
Characteristics: Purple hulls (pods), green or brown seeds, traditional Southern
Uses: Fresh shell, dried, soups

Why Grow It: Purple hull peas are named for their purple pods. The seeds can be green or brown. They're similar to black-eyed peas but with distinctive flavor. In the South, purple hulls are beloved.

Clay Soil Performance: Very good.

For The Loop Farmstead: Essential Southern variety. Plant alongside crowders.

Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas)

6. California Blackeye #5

Type: Black-Eyed Pea
Days to Maturity: 85-95 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, most suppliers
Characteristics: Cream seeds with black eye, classic black-eyed pea, productive
Uses: Hoppin' John, soups, stews, side dishes

Why Grow It: California Blackeye #5 is THE black-eyed pea. It's the most widely grown variety. The name is confusing (it's not from California)—it was developed for California agriculture but originated in the South. It's productive, reliable, and familiar.

Clay Soil Performance: Excellent. Cowpeas handle clay well.

For The Loop Farmstead: Essential. This is a staple crop. Plant 200+ sq ft.

8. Red Ripper

Type: Black-Eyed Pea
Days to Maturity: 90-100 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Characteristics: Reddish seeds, productive, traditional
Uses: Soups, stews

Why Grow It: Red Ripper has distinctive reddish-brown seeds. It's productive and traditional. The color indicates anthocyanins. Different varieties have slightly different flavors and textures.

10. Whippoorwill

Type: Crowder/Cowpea
Days to Maturity: 90-100 days
Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange
Characteristics: Speckled seeds (like whippoorwill bird eggs), crowder type, traditional
Uses: Traditional Southern dishes

Why Grow It: Whippoorwill is named for the speckled pattern resembling whippoorwill eggs. It's a heritage variety with beautiful seeds and good flavor. It's also ornamental—the speckled beans are striking.

12. Clay Speckled

Type: Cowpea
Days to Maturity: 90-100 days
Source: Seed Savers Exchange, heritage sources
Characteristics: Speckled beige/brown, traditional, adaptable
Uses: Soups, stews

Why Grow It: Clay Speckled is an old-time variety with good adaptability. The speckled pattern is attractive. It's a reliable producer.

Growing Field Peas on Clay Soil

Southern Peas / Cowpeas

Timing: - Plant: Late spring (May-June) - Soil temp: 65°F+ (cowpeas need warm soil) - Later than beans (more heat-demanding)

Site Preparation: 1. Clear residue 2. Lightly till or rake 3. Cowpeas grow in poor soil (very adaptable)

Planting: - Depth: 1-1.5" (deeper in clay) - Spacing: - Bush types: 4-6" apart, rows 24-36" apart - Vine types: 6-12" apart, rows 36-48" apart - Seed rate: 2-3 lbs per 1000 sq ft

Clay-Specific Notes: - Wait for soil to warm (clay stays cold) - Ensure good drainage (cowpeas tolerate clay but not waterlogging) - Raised beds work well

Growing Season: - May-June: Planting - Weeks 1-2: Germination - Weeks 3-8: Vegetative growth (vining types grow vigorously) - Weeks 8-10: Flowering - Weeks 10-14: Pod development - Weeks 14-16: Harvest

Fertility: - Nitrogen: Cowpeas fix their own (don't add N) - Phosphorus: Important for nitrogen fixation - Inoculant: Use cowpea-specific rhizobia (different from bean inoculant) - pH: 6.0-6.5

Water: - Drought-tolerant once established - Water during flowering/pod set - Reduce water as pods mature (encourages drying)

Austrian Winter Pea

Timing: - Plant: Fall (September-October) - 4-6 weeks before hard frost - Overwinters in Zone 6b/7a

Planting: - Depth: 1-2" - Spacing: 2-4" apart, or broadcast - Seed rate: 3-4 lbs per 1000 sq ft

Growing Season: - September-October: Planting, establishment - October-November: Growth (before dormancy) - December-February: Dormant - March: Resumes growth - April-May: Flowering - May-June: Harvest

Winter Survival: - Hardy to 10-15°F (with snow cover) - Zone 6b: May lose some plants in harsh winter - Zone 7a: Usually survives well - Mulch helps winter survival

Fertility: - Same as cowpeas (fixes own nitrogen) - Use pea inoculant (different from cowpea inoculant)

Storage

Same as beans: - Fully dry (peas should shatter, not bend) - Airtight containers - Cool, dry place - 2-5 years storage - Freeze before storage (kills weevil eggs)

Field Peas in Crop Rotation

Southern Peas: - After winter wheat → cowpeas (summer) - After early vegetables → cowpeas - Before winter wheat (in southern regions)

Austrian Winter Peas: - After corn/vegetables → Austrian winter peas - Following spring: Corn or other heavy feeder (benefits from nitrogen) - Or: Harvest peas, plant buckwheat or cover crop

Nitrogen Fixation: - Like beans, peas fix nitrogen - excellent before heavy feeders - Inoculate for maximum nitrogen fixation

Culinary Uses

Southern Peas / Cowpeas

Traditional Dishes: - Hoppin' John: Black-eyed peas + rice + pork (New Year's tradition) - Field peas with snap beans: Classic Southern combination - Soups and stews: Cook with ham hock or bacon - Side dishes: Like beans, seasoned with pork

Cooking: - Soak 2-4 hours (or quick-soak) - Cook 45-90 minutes (varies by variety) - Season with salt, pepper, pork - Crowders cook faster than black-eyed peas

Austrian Winter Peas

Uses: - Split pea soup: Like green split peas - Dhal: Indian-style lentil stew - Side dishes: Cook like lentils - Animal feed: High protein

Cooking: - No soaking needed (small size) - Cook 30-45 minutes - Season to taste

Southern Heritage

Field peas are deeply Southern:

Slavery era: Enslaved Africans brought cowpea knowledge from West Africa
Survival food: Field peas kept families alive through hard times
Hoppin' John: New Year's tradition (peas = coins, prosperity)
Appalachian connection: Field peas grew in mountain gardens

Growing field peas honors this history. It's agricultural heritage, not just food.

For The Loop Farmstead: Field peas are culturally appropriate for West Virginia. They're Southern and Appalachian. Grow them with respect for the history they carry.