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Heirloom

Whippoorwill Pea

Quick Facts:

  • Very old southern heirloom
  • Grown by Jefferson at Monticello
  • Vigorous vines (~5 feet)
  • Small, speckled peas
  • 70-80 days to harvest

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Quantity: Packet (25 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Whippoorwill Pea

More about Whippoorwill Pea

Vigna unguiculata

The Whippoorwill pea is a very old Southern heirloom that produces dependable yields of small, speckled cowpeas on vigorous vines that reach 5 foot in length. Well-adapted to heat and drought, Whippoorwill is reliable even in challenging summers and sets pods consistently when many other crops begin to slow. The small, speckled peas are beloved for both fresh eating and dry storage, often cooked with onions and bacon or salt pork.

One of the oldest documented cowpeas known, Whippoorwill peas were grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and appear repeatedly in early American agricultural records. Like many Southern cowpeas, it likely predates the nineteenth century by several generations, passi... More

Less

Vigna unguiculata

The Whippoorwill pea is a very old Southern heirloom that produces dependable yields of small, speckled cowpeas on vigorous vines that reach 5 foot in length. Well-adapted to heat and drought, Whippoorwill is reliable even in challenging summers and sets pods consistently when many other crops begin to slow. The small, speckled peas are beloved for both fresh eating and dry storage, often cooked with onions and bacon or salt pork.

One of the oldest documented cowpeas known, Whippoorwill peas were grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and appear repeatedly in early American agricultural records. Like many Southern cowpeas, it likely predates the nineteenth century by several generations, passing through gardens by way of family seed saving rather than formal breeding. Today, we are offering Whippoorwill in place of Michels cowpea, as Whippoorwill carries stronger documented historical significance—and we suspect the two may, in fact, be closely related expressions of the same long-held variety.

Traditionally, Whippoorwill peas were grown as a dual-purpose crop, valued both for fresh shelling and for drying. When young, the peas are tender and flavorful; when mature, they store well and cook down into a rich, hearty dish that pairs perfectly with braised greens and cornbread. Whether planted for fresh eating, winter storage, or seed saving, Whipporwill remains a practical, time-tested pea that connects the modern garden to generations past.  Matures approximately 70-80 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Vigna unguiculata

The Whippoorwill pea is a very old Southern heirloom that produces dependable yields of small, speckled cowpeas on vigorous vines that reach 5 foot in length. Well-adapted to heat and drought, Whippoorwill is reliable even in challenging summers and sets pods consistently when many other crops begin to slow. The small, speckled peas are beloved for both fresh eating and dry storage, often cooked with onions and bacon or salt pork.

One of the oldest ... read more

read less

Vigna unguiculata

The Whippoorwill pea is a very old Southern heirloom that produces dependable yields of small, speckled cowpeas on vigorous vines that reach 5 foot in length. Well-adapted to heat and drought, Whippoorwill is reliable even in challenging summers and sets pods consistently when many other crops begin to slow. The small, speckled peas are beloved for both fresh eating and dry storage, often cooked with onions and bacon or salt pork.

One of the oldest documented cowpeas known, Whippoorwill peas were grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and appear repeatedly in early American agricultural records. Like many Southern cowpeas, it likely predates the nineteenth century by several generations, passing through gardens by way of family seed saving rather than formal breeding. Today, we are offering Whippoorwill in place of Michels cowpea, as Whippoorwill carries stronger documented historical significance—and we suspect the two may, in fact, be closely related expressions of the same long-held variety.

Traditionally, Whippoorwill peas were grown as a dual-purpose crop, valued both for fresh shelling and for drying. When young, the peas are tender and flavorful; when mature, they store well and cook down into a rich, hearty dish that pairs perfectly with braised greens and cornbread. Whether planted for fresh eating, winter storage, or seed saving, Whipporwill remains a practical, time-tested pea that connects the modern garden to generations past.  Matures approximately 70-80 days after sowing.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Boy holding slice of watermelon
Kids eating watermelon

How to Grow Cowpeas

Cowpeas are a warm-season crop that prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. They prefer full sun and require at least six hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged, throughout the growing season. Cowpeas are relatively tolerant of drought conditions but may require supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells. Additionally, cowpeas are nitrogen-fixing plants and can benefit from the addition of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the soil.

After danger of frost has passed, sow seeds 1" deep, 2" apart in rows 36" apart. Provide support for vining varieties. Many non-vining varieties will exhibit some degree of vining if given support.

Not recommended

Insect Pests

Cowpeas are susceptible to various insects, including aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, and bean beetles, which can cause significant damage to the plants. Using insecticidal soap or neem oil can help control insect infestations, while using disease-resistant cultivars and rotating crops can reduce the risk of disease.

Diseases & Other Problems

Diseases such as root rot, bacterial blight, and powdery mildew can occasionally affect cowpeas, especially in warm and humid conditions. To prevent these issues, it is important to maintain good garden hygiene, avoid overcrowding, and provide adequate air circulation.

Cowpeas are typically ready to harvest 70 to 90 days after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The pods should be firm and plump and should snap easily when bent. To harvest, simply pick the pods from the plant by hand by lifting up to separate it from the stem. Cowpeas can be eaten fresh or dried for later use. If harvesting for dry beans, wait until the pods have turned brown and dry on the vine before harvesting.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Cowpeas are typically self-pollinating and do not require isolation. However, to prevent rare cases of cross-pollination, plant different cowpea varieties 20 feet apart or stagger planting times. Use physical barriers to isolate plants for seed-saving purposes or in areas with high cross-pollination risk.

HARVESTING SEED:

To save seeds from cowpeas, allow the pods to dry on the vine until they are brown and crispy. Remove the pods from the plant and break them open to reveal the seeds. Separate the seeds from the pod debris and spread them out in a single layer on a tray or screen to dry completely. Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant them the following season.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Cowpea seeds can maintain viability for up to 3 to 5 years if stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Girl holding cowpeas

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