How to grow Cowpeas (Southern Peas) in Australia
Sow cowpeas direct in full sun in warm, free-draining soil, and skip nitrogen feeding as they fix their own and thrive in poorer ground. They are very drought and heat tolerant, so water young plants then ease off.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Time to harvest: 70 days
- Time to germinate: 8 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Sow Oct to Jan into warm soil. Same species as snake beans and just as fond of heat; frost tender. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost tender and heat loving. Sow Oct to Dec once the soil is warm; best in the hottest part of summer. |
| Adelaide & SA | November and December | Sow Nov to Dec once soil passes 20C. Cowpeas set pods through heat that stops ordinary beans. |
| Perth & WA | October to January | Sow Oct to Jan once soil passes 20C. Like snake beans, cowpeas keep podding through the summer heat. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. A heat loving bean that needs hot nights, like snake beans. Grow scarlet runners instead. |
| Canberra & ACT | November to January | Frost tender. Sow Nov to Jan into warm soil after the last frost in early November. Later sowings will not crop before the April frosts. |
| North Queensland | September to March | |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March |
Varieties
- Black-eyed Pea
- Red Caloona
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick pods young and tender for snap beans, or leave until plump for shelling and fully dry for storing. Snap or twist pods off and keep picking to extend cropping.
Storage
Fresh peas a few days in the fridge; dried peas in jars for a year or more.