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Cowpea · Southern-pea

Pinkeye Purple Hull Pea

Bush · Fabaceae

Pinkeye Purple Hull is the classic Southern pea that earns its place by thriving in heat when English peas have long since quit. Bush to semi-vining plants set purple pods filled with cream-colored peas marked by a pink eye, and the variety is prized for fresh shelling, freezing, and drying. It is especially beginner-friendly in hot summers because it handles drought better than many beans and keeps producing through Southern weather.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
55–68 days
Sun
8+ hours
full sun 8-10 hours
Spacing
4–6 "
Container
Not Ideal
5+ gallon pot
Height
1.5–2.5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–14 days
Optimal Temp 75°F
Seed Depth 1"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "
Needs Moderate
Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 5.8–6.8
Soil Type Well-drained loam or sandy loam with moderate fertility and warm spring soil.

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: High

Common Problems

cowpea-curculio
Cause: Warm-weather weevils lay eggs in pods, and larvae damage developing peas.
Prevention: Pick promptly, destroy infested pods, rotate crops, and keep weeds down around the patch.
fusarium-wilt
Cause: Soilborne pathogens build up where cowpeas or related legumes are planted repeatedly.
Prevention: Rotate crops, improve drainage, and avoid overwatering young plants.
aphids
Cause: Tender new growth in warm weather attracts sap-feeding insects that can also spread viruses.
Prevention: Encourage beneficial insects, avoid excess nitrogen, and rinse or spot-treat early colonies.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Harvest fresh-shell peas when pods turn purple and the peas inside are plump but still tender; allow pods to dry and rattle for dry storage.

Expected Yield 0.5–1 lbs/plant
Storage 5 days — Shell and refrigerate fresh peas promptly; for long storage, blanch and freeze or fully dry for pantry keeping.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Corn Benefits from the same warm-season timing and helps fill mixed summer beds.
Okra Shares the same heat-loving conditions and makes an efficient Southern summer pairing.

Avoid Planting Near

Onion Alliums can compete and are a poor traditional pairing with beans and cowpeas.

Sources

seed_catalog Rare Seeds (Baker Creek) university University of Maryland Extension

Pinkeye Purple Hull Pea Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Pinkeye Purple Hull Pea vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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