Botanical Interests California Blackeye #5 Bush Cowpea Bean Seeds

Despite being called a black-eyed pea, cowpea or southern pea, these are actually beans. Cowpeas produce in higher heat, humidity and drier conditions than other beans. Plants are bushy and occasionally semi-vining, producing 6"-8" pods produced at the top (crown) of the plant. Disease resistant.

Cylindrical, somewhat curved 6"-8" long pods produced on crown of plant. Medium to large, cream colored seeds with black "eyes". Resistant to wilt and root nematodes.

• Days To Maturity: 75 Days
• Family: Fabaceae
• Type: Shelling Bean, Bush Bean
• Native: Africa
• Hardiness: Frost-Sensitive Annual
• Exposure: Full Sun
• Plant Dimensions: 14"-18" upright and bushy with potential for some semi-spreading vines
• Attributes: Fusarium Wilt Resistant, Root Knot Nematode Resistant, Frost Sensitive, Good For Containers, Heat Tolerant

Recommended 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 40°F; Ideally 50°-70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall for winter harvest.

Not Recommended; bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance.

• Days To Emerge: 6-12 Days
• Seed Depth: 1"
• Seed Spacing: 1 Seed Every 3"-4"
• Row Spacing: 24"-36"
• Thinning: Not Required

For fresh, tasty cowpeas, shell seeds or enjoy in pod about 60 days after sowing, when peas just start to swell in the pod; Seeds will be developed but not hard at this point. For dried beans, wait until the pods are dry and straw-colored to harvest. Young foliage is also edible and enjoyed like spinach. At seasons end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.

• Type: Conventional Heirloom