We grew holstein peas for the first time last summer. Debbie at Bryson Farm Supply shared the seed with us. I was enamored with their color—they truly do bring to mind a holstein cow.
Over the winter we enjoyed eating a few messes of the peas and decided to plant more this year. The taste is very similar to black-eyed peas which I never liked as a child but really enjoy today.
A few days ago we picked all the holstein peas and cleaned out the bed. I decided to see if I could find out any information about the peas by searching online.
I first searched for black and white pea. I found a few peas that looked like the ones we grew and they were labeled as cow peas. Next I searched around for cow peas but found more peas that didn’t look like the holsteins than ones that did.
Finally I searched for what I should have searched for in the first place: holstein pea.
A lot of information came up with photos of peas that looked just like ours. Even better than that I found information that connected right back to Debbie.
Alabama Holstein Peas
The Story: I received these old-time fieldpeas aka “cowpeas” from the fine folks at Bryson Farm Supply in Sylva, NC. Every year owner Randy and Kevin would go down to Alabama to go deer hunting. Over the years they got to know a family down there that had been growing this particular fieldpea for over a hundred years. Kevin shared a few with me, and I’ve grown them out over the past two seasons. It’s just a stellar tasting fieldpea, and like other old-time fieldpeas it puts out ample runners. I planted mine at the base of a ten foot trellis and it climbed all the way to the top. If there’s a cowpea out there that is more cow-like, I’d like to see it! I sometimes refer to the seeds as cow-eggs.
Species: Vigna unguiculata
Growing Notes: This is a “Pole-Habit” variety, field peas do not twine in the same way that beans do. They’ll wrap themselves around a fence or string, but they won’t make the little ringlets that grasp our like beans. I often come along later with a horizontal string to support plants that begin to hang away from the trellis. Also, Field Peas aren’t very happy about wet feet, their wild ancestors in Africa evolved for an arid climate, so do not over-water them. For harder clay soil I like to plant two seeds per hole, about 6 inches or more apart. I also prefer hills, which lets the soil drain.
Seed-saving: Vigna unguiculata has a perfect flower, so it is self-fertile, however it’s best to separate it from other cowpeas or yardlong beans by 10-20 feet. Pull the pods as they turn tan, and let them finish drying completely in the pod before shelling them out.
—SONGTOSEED
It looks like the holstein pea seeds are sold out on SONGTOSEED, but a quick internet search will turn up a couple of other places that sell them if you’re interested.
Last night’s video: The Thread That Runs So True 20.
Tipper
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We grew cowpeas for the first time this year. I bought two varieties from Baker Creek Seeds. We only eat the leaves and they are delicious! The leaves go by a few names but we call it kunde. I have yet to find a more nutritious plant to grow in the garden and plan on making kunde a staple crop in my garden.
Tipper, does Corie have a FB acct cause I just got an Add a Friend from it
Deb-no don’t accept it 🙂
Love how Binks made it into the shot. Pretty pea. I’m like you, Tipper, I didn’t appreciate the taste of black eyed peas when I was young. I guess my tastes had to mature.
I wish I liked peas more but they upset my old gut. Peas are so good for the garden because they also fix nitrogen in the soil.
Hi family.
Are they the same as Black Eyed Peas?
Betty-not the same but the taste is about the same 🙂
I learned some interesting things about field peas. That West African origin with the heat and dry climate goes far to explain why they are a “southern thang”, just like okra. Those 2, plus sweet potatoes, could be called the “Southern Three Sisters” just like corn, beans and squash are the Cherokee (thus Appalachian) “Three Sisters”. Did not know field peas were self-fertile but now I know why they keep producing with no sign of a pollinator. And the “cow seed” name, also the “Holstein” name, are fun facts as well as interesting history. Back when more people grew gardens and saved seed the seed-sharing habit was a common lifeway. Reckon there is anybody, or an organization, that does for field peas what has been done with beans, grown and sold heirloom varieties? By the way, planted Brussels sprout and curly kale plants this morning. Have a hard time finding fall garden plants here in Georgia and found those at the Farm Supply in Elizabethton, TN. Told the man I planted them for my wife. He said, “Happy wife, happy life!”
Ron-I don’t know of an organization like that but I hope someones knows of one 🙂
You know you have FOUND YOUR PEOPLE when we all get excited about a beautiful, tasty, healthy Holstein pea crop addition to the garden bounty! They do look beautiful and I bet the taste is plumb outa this world! What’s not to get excited about fresh, homegrown and good food??? God bless us all today as we praise and thank our Lord for wonderful friends like Tipper and her sweet family and all her friends who read and comment here! It’s just great!
I have never heard of this pea, but when looking at the picture I immediately thought of black eye peas. If it taste like black eyes I would love it. Black eye peas are one of my favorites.
Thanks for the information. Holsters peas sound delicious!!! Especially with fried okra, cornbread and sweet tea!!!
I don’t think I’ve ever had them kind of peas. I’m not a big fan of peas, with the exception of Sugar Peas. I will say that the peas you show on this blog and on your videos are really colorful and pretty. Thank you for always teaching us something new, Tipper!
Sounds like they are a hearty little pea. And they are kind of pretty.
Really enjoyed last night’s video.