Black Eyed Peas?

[Snadger]

Just been given some and wondered if anyone had any growing tips/ideas about growing them?

[gojiberry]

I have some on the go at the moment, but have never grown them before. I started mine of on damp kitchen roll, mainly because it was very old seed and purchased for culinary use. Out of about 50 seeds I got 8 germinated, I may have got more but only wanted 8.I will now treat them exactly like dwarf beans and see what happens. I also did the same with canelli beans. Both as an experiment.

[Phyllis Smith]

I have some on the go at the moment, but have never grown them before. I started mine of on damp kitchen roll, mainly because it was very old seed and purchased for culinary use. Out of about 50 seeds I got 8 germinated, I may have got more but only wanted 8.I will now treat them exactly like dwarf beans and see what happens. I also did the same with canelli beans. Both as an experiment.

Did you use the dried beans you buy in the grocery store to cook? Is that what you planted? I'd be willing to plant 50 to get 8 BEP plants. I was raised in the southern US, and they were a dietary staple, but I can't find a source of seeds for them in the UK. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[rustylady]

Phyllis, I have googled and I can't find a supplier in this country either. I would suggest you buy a pack of dried blackeyed peas from a reputable store, and sow them. It would be worth soaking them overnight and then placing on damp kitchen towel in a sealed plastic tupperware type box so that you can see when they start sprouting. That way you will only be planting out the viable ones. Too late for this year I'm afraid but come next spring away you go with them.

[Two_Sheds]

buy a pack of dried blackeyed pea... and sow them.

I've tried them several times, and never got any to crop. They need a longer, hotter, drier growing season than I can give them. They grow in semi-arid parts of Africa and Asia, C. and S.America

[Phyllis Smith]

Thank you, rustylady. I'll have a go next year. As for not having a long & hot enough season...wonder what would happen if I tried raising them in the enclosure off my kitchen? It's pretty hot when the sun's out, and I can even put a radiator on in there for heat, if need be. I'm going to try! This year I'm growing okra in that space, and aside from the white & greenfly that keep covering it, it seems to be growing fairly well. I won't end up with a glut from my 9 plants, but I'll have a few pods. I miss my Southern US "soul food" veggies!

[zazen999]

I think the problem with black eyed peas in this country is you either get a cold spring, or a damp end of summer [like now]....so even if they grew well at the start, they risk mould at the end of the season if it is too rainy.

I'd try it though, I did get some chick peas last year, albeit grown in pots as a trial; so the yields were very low.....and these don't usually crop here either.

I didn't think Pinto Beans would crop here but they do and I get a lovely return on my one original store bought packet of beans.

[Phyllis Smith]

Gosh, I've been so busy in the garden (and at the sewing machine, and recovering from a broken foot) that I've been away from the forum forever!! I was in the States on vacation in January, and brought home a packet of Cow Pea seeds. I planted them, and they came up fine. Then I tried to grow them on, under cover, in my little polytunnel/greenhouse, and while I got lots of vines, and even a few blossoms, I got nary a pea! And my okra, which failed last year, failed again this year. I quit!! It's UK crops for this girl . . .mostly, anyway! I did plant some American "Better Boy" tomatoes, that have been fabulous!! And I actually got a few lima beans, though I haven't eaten any. But I'll try those again next year!