The Most Underrated Veggie I grow

[Meadowlark]

Corn, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. all staples that are wonderful garden veggies to grow at home but the most underrated, understated veggie I grow is not among that list.

That would be Pink eye purple hull peas (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata). These are the best tasting variety of cowpeas, best producing variety of cowpeas, and offer an amazing soil building tool to the home gardener free of any synthetic chemicals. I've never understood why they are not far more utilized.

Perhaps the taste is an "acquired" one. Perhaps folks just are not aware of the soil rebuilding power of these terrific plants.

With 60 days to maturity and the ability to regrow exponentially from its own seeds, this plant offers a tool to the gardener to replenish depleted soils for literally just a handful of seed. Plant, shred, regrow, reshred...I normally do 4 generations from just one handful of seeds. Harvesting seeds along the way to eat is just a bonus.... the real reward is the resulting soil.

I picked 5 gallons of peas today from one short row. Four other rows will be shredded seeds and all and allowed to return to the soil. Every 60 days the cycle completes. Amazing nitrogen fixing and nutrient loading in your soil results.

Today's pickings:

The next generation in waiting...

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

That's awesome. Cowpeas are underrated. I've grown quickpick pinkeye, in a mix I've been doing.

One variety i tried, iron and clay, was such a long season plant i didn't get a single pod, but others are literally 60 warm days

And they are on a different level than store shelf black eyed peas, i don't know how to explain it... It's like a fresh sandwich vs a day old one

I don't understand how it's mainstream to be satisfied growing the same 6 plants every year

 

[Meadowlark]

And they are on a different level than store shelf black eyed peas, i don't know how to explain it... It's like a fresh sandwich vs a day old one

I love that analogy. But to me the soil rewards are much greater even than eating them.

I'll never understand why they are not prominent in every garden...except for far north ones perhaps....I guess I already said that

 

[Tundra20]

we love em i grow them every year except this yr i switched up and put beans instead but either way as you say great soil building capability the real way

 

[Meadowlark]

.... as you say great soil building capability the real way

No pests bother them; they provide their own nitrogen plus extra for the soil depending on your harvest; they produce tremendous nutrient rich organic material; and they will reseed regrow themselves if enabled...what could possibly be better?

Maybe someday more gardeners will wise up.