10 Tips for Growing Black Eyed Peas in Your Backyard 

Black-eyed peas are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in your garden. They require little time and space, but produce a bounty for you year after year! Here are 10 tips for growing black-eyed peas so that you can enjoy their sweet taste all summer long.

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This pea is distinguished from others by a single black “eye.” Despite the fact that it is a pea, it is more of a bean than a pea. As a result, it has a distinct flavor (as do other beans), fits well in a broad range of cuisines, and, most significantly, grows well in practically any location. That’s why cultivating black eyed peas in your own garden can be so rewarding. And we’re going to show you how.

You’ll discover all you need to know in this post, whether you want peas ready for New Year’s or a steady supply that never runs out. Take a peek at the video below to find out!

What are the benefits of farming black-eyed peas?

“Why do I need to know what they are?” you may wonder at first. “I’m already aware!”

That may be true since you’ve most likely seen and eaten them before. But do you actually understand what they are?

The first thing you should know about “black-eyed peas” is that they are not peas. They’re beans, as previously said. That could be enough to sway your mind about them.

“Vigna unguiculata” is its scientific name, although it also goes by a variety of other names. “Black-eyed peas” is the most popular. It’s also known as the “cowpea,” “Southern pea,” “goat pea,” and “field pea,” among other names. Because it has the largest quantity of protein of any plant, it is often known as “poor man’s meat.”

Furthermore, the plant is distinguished by a distinctively colored patch on its side. Some of them have black eyes and are white. However, green and pink with brown specks are also possible. The beans might also be red with a white spot in rare situations.

Each bean is contained inside a pod. The pod is huge and green, and it grows straight from the plant’s stem. Each pod has a capacity of 10 to 15 beans.

More intriguingly, the plant is believed to have originated in Asia and Africa, notably in the subtropical regions. As a result, the black-eyed peas plant thrives in a variety of environments. It’s one of the toughest veggies you’ll find, as well as one of the most adaptable plant mates.

We’ll go through how to plant it, cultivate it, and harvest it as required in the instructions below.

Growing Black-Eyed Peas in a Backyard: 10 Tips

It is simple to cultivate the plant that produces these peas. That isn’t to say it doesn’t involve any work. Aside from planting it appropriately, you must provide a suitable atmosphere for the plant to develop.

You may do so by following the steps outlined below:

1. Begin in the Correct Season

It demands warm soil since it is a subtropical plant. There isn’t any other option. It will be difficult to grow if the temperature in your garden is continuously below 60 degrees.

It also necessitates the absence of any frost in the surroundings. So, unless you live in a subtropical climate with a few frosts a year, you may not be able to grow it (unless you utilize a greenhouse).

With that in mind, it’s evident that you should begin at the appropriate season. While wet seasons aren’t always terrible for the plant, it’s best to start in the spring or summer. In fact, you should strive to plant at least 100 days before the end of the growing season.

You’ll have half the task done if you can start this manner. Seeds will germinate more readily, and the plant will develop much more quickly.

2. Make Use of the Optimal Soil

Even if you choose the proper season, if you don’t put it in the right soil, it won’t grow.

Fortunately, this plant isn’t very demanding. You won’t have any issues as long as the soil pH is slightly acidic or neutral (between 6 and 7 pH).

But keep in mind that this plant prefers well-draining soil. It will grow easily as long as the humidity is sufficient but not oppressive. As a result, we advise avoiding soils that absorb excessive amounts of water (mossy or mulchy grounds).

In addition, the soil must be well-manured. If you can add a little compost, it would be wonderful. Fertilizer will complete the task, making it even better.

Fertilizer is especially useful when the soil isn’t very fertile (or you lack manure). Otherwise, only a smidgeon would enough.

3. Locate a Large Enough Area

It’s time to spread the seeds if you’ve located the ideal soil for the plant. However, you must first ensure that the room is enough.

To grow, a black-eyed peas plant need at least 1 square meter of area. At least one foot should separate each seed. As a result, you’ll require a lot of room (between 5 to 10 feet of space).

This occurs when the plant produces a viny stem that does not remain stationary. The plant will molest others if you don’t provide adequate room around it, and vice versa. This might result in a variety of issues, including excessive shade, vitamin deficiency, and more. It has the potential to create growth issues, although its rarity.

4. Plant Properly (And Then Leave It Alone!)

You may begin planting when you’ve found the appropriate location. The simplest way to achieve this is to make ridges and/or little holes in which to deposit the seeds.

These ridges or holes must be a minimum of 1 inch deep. Try splitting your seeds into rows or columns if you’re planting a lot of them at once. The goal is to maintain some kind of structure, since the plant develops like a vine and may be difficult to manage later.

5. Don’t Repot or Transplant

The plant should start growing nearly immediately after you’ve sown the seeds. It might take a week or two before you notice sprouts. It’s critical not to transplant or repot when this occurs. That irritates this plant.

As a result, planting directly in your garden rather than in pots is a far better option. If you’re beginning in a container, wrap the soil with peat or paper. This will make transplanting simpler in the future without damaging the roots (as the peat or paper will break down over time).

6. Provide Plant Support

You’ll see how the vine spreads out as it grows, attempting to climb whatever it can and slithering anywhere it can. That’s why giving it a hand may be quite beneficial.

It’s worth experimenting with a trellis or a tripod. A single stake or wire wall would work as well. The goal is to assist it in climbing a structure rather than crawling about (the peas don’t develop as well with low stems). Aside from that, supports will aid in the plant’s growth and make harvesting easier.

This should be done as quickly as feasible. You may apply it right after planting, or wait a few weeks until the plant begins springing out of the dirt. It shouldn’t be an issue at all.

7. Keep the soil moist.

Humidity is one of the most important needs for the black-eyed peas plant to grow. Of course, this is something that all plants need. However, there is a difficulty here.

This plant can withstand moderate drought. It can go for a few days or weeks without drinking water and still survive. It may, however, become drought-stressed.

What exactly does this imply? The plant may determine that the humidity is insufficient and that no pods will be produced. You won’t have beans without the pods.

Sure, it’s unusual for this to happen. You should, however, use caution. Watering every two days is an excellent technique to keep it damp.

Also, be sure to water the soil exclusively, not the leaves or stems. This plant’s top sections are delicate, and if overwatered, it may soon develop fungus and illnesses.

8. Make sure you get enough of sun.

The black-eyed peas plant requires regular sun exposure in addition to frequent watering for humidity.

Not only is it necessary to leave it outdoors, but it is also necessary because of the sunshine. It takes at least 6 hours every day. It, on the other hand, flourishes when exposed to at least 8 hours of light every day.

It’s worth noting that it’s still possible to become sunburned. Because the leaves are delicate, they may dry up and brown if the sun is too strong. Cover the plant with an umbrella or other shade-giving device to achieve this. It should be adequate to reduce its sunshine exposure for a few hours.

9. Peas should be harvested.

The plant will be several inches long after 70 to 80 days of development. It may start producing pods at this point.

When these pods reach 3 or 4 inches in length, they are ready to eat. Snap beans are what they’re called at that stage.

You may wait another 10 to 20 days to harvest them as shell beans. The pods should grow a few inches longer, and the beans should seem swollen.

If you want dry beans, wait 100 days or more after planting to harvest the pods. The pods will seem dry, indicating that they are fully grown.

In any case, you may begin harvesting the plant after 40 days of growth. The leaves will get big enough to use on salads and other dishes at this point.

10. Save the Seeds & Replant (Optional)

It’s usually a good idea to leave one or two growing plants as propagators, even if it’s not required. You won’t eat the pods; instead, you’ll use them to replant later.

You’ll need the peas to be fully matured for this. They should be completely dry. It is still not ripe if the pods are green or reddish in color.

The plants you’re leaving for sowing shouldn’t be watered the same way the rest of them are. They should remain a little drier than the ones from which you’re eating the beans. This is done to avoid undesirable leaves and hasten the drying process of the pods.

You may also keep the roots of these plants if you want to replant them. Store them in a frost-free location (soil) and transplant the next Spring or Summer using the same techniques.

Continue on the same route as the seeds. Sow them as required after storing them for the best season. Make use of the advice we’ve given you thus far.

Conclusion

You will be really pleased of your work and time once you see black-eyed peas flourishing in your garden. Despite the fact that it requires little work or time, you will really value the experience.

We hope this information was helpful. Growing black eyed peas shouldn’t be difficult if you follow our guidance and ideas. And, most significantly, it will be a lot more enjoyable.

So, what do you have to lose? Those bean plants are ready for a new home in your garden. Get your hands dirty and start growing them now!

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The “black-eyed peas yield per plant” is a tip from the “10 Tips for Growing Black Eyed Peas in Your Backyard”. The article includes information on how to grow black-eyed peas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What month do you plant black-eyed peas?

A: You plant black-eyed peas from February to May.

What do black-eyed peas need to grow?

A: Black-eyed peas need sunlight and soil to grow.

How much water do black-eyed peas need to grow?

A: Black-eyed peas need about 16 ounces of water per pound to grow to their full potential.

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