Fast Lady Northern Southern Cowpea

Heat and drought tolerant bean that's an excellent alternative to common beans.

A staple in the Southern US, cowpeas are a versatile bean crop. Leaves, small green pods, and dry beans can all be eaten. This variety is adapted to northern regions. Flavour is similar to other beans. Short vines don’t require trellising. Beans form atop vertical poles — easy harvesting! Open Source Seed Initiative pledged variety. 

Growing: DIrect seed (recommended) or transplant (if weather conditions require).

Direct seeding: 1" deep in rows, spaced 2-4" apart and rows 18" apart once soil has warmed up — early summer is ideal.

Transplant: Sow 1" deep with bottom heat, such as a heat mat. Transplant as young as possible to avoid damaging roots. Harden off before transplanting.

Growing tips: Cowpeas require warm temperatures for proper germination and growth. Choose a warm, full-sun location with well-drained soil. Cowpeas do not require high fertility to be productive. 

Dry growing (growing without watering or minimal watering): Cowpeas are more drought tolerant than common green beans. If irrigation water is a constraint for you, they are a good crop choice. When growing with no or reduced irrigation, increase the amount of space between plants to 6". Use light application of mulch to reduce evaporation, and keep plants weeded. If you have some irrigation water available, but not enough to water the whole season, time your watering strategically. The best stage of growth to water that will have the best yield improvement is during flowering and early pod set. Conserve your limited water until then.