Black Eyed Pea

Well Suited to the High Plains & Rolling Plains

Black-Eyed Peas have a long history of commercial production in Texas. Texas A&M reports that black-eyes, cowpeas, and related southern peas are grown primarily in the High Plains and Rolling Plains, where they are used both as commercial crops and as flexible rotation options.

Texas growers have also used dry beans and peas as catch crops following storm-damaged cotton, giving producers another option when weather forces a change in the original crop plan.

Black-Eyed Peas are an excellent option for:

Commercial dry pea production
Fresh-market production
Crop rotations
Diversified farms
Warm-season legume acres
Catch-crop situations
Small-acreage vegetable production

Add a Legume to Your Rotation

Black-Eyed Peas belong to the cowpea group, making them a warm-season annual legume capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen when properly inoculated and nodulated.

That gives Black-Eyed Peas value beyond harvested peas. When incorporated into a crop rotation, the roots and crop residue contribute organic material while the legume biology can add nitrogen to the overall system.

Benefits

Biological nitrogen fixation
Adds diversity to crop rotations
Produces nitrogen-rich residue
Helps improve nutrient cycling
Adds organic matter
Provides a broadleaf break from grass crops
Works well in diversified farming systems

Why Choose Black-Eyed Pea Seed?

Adapted to Texas Growing Conditions

Texas A&M lists southern peas as adapted statewide, with commercial production concentrated heavily in the High Plains and Rolling Plains.

Dryland Production Potential

Texas A&M notes that southern peas have dryland production potential, although water requirements and yield will still depend on rainfall, soil type, and growing conditions.

Good Rotation Crop

Black-Eyed Peas can provide a warm-season broadleaf break in rotations dominated by crops such as cotton, wheat, corn, and sorghum. Texas A&M specifically describes southern peas as a good rotation crop.

Flexible Crop Option

Commercial black-eyed pea acreage in Texas has historically shifted with weather and crop economics, making them a flexible option for diversified operations.

Marketable Dry Pea Crop

Black-eyed peas can be harvested for dry grain and marketed as a food crop. Texas A&M reports typical black-eye yields of approximately 1,500–2,000 pounds per acre under the production systems represented in its Texas crop guide.

Fits Diversified Farms

Recent NRCS coverage of a Texas High Plains operation highlights black-eyed peas as part of a diverse crop system alongside cotton, peanuts, melons, vineyards, livestock, and cover crops.

A Natural Fit for High Plains Crop Rotations

Black-Eyed Peas are particularly relevant for West Texas because the High Plains and Rolling Plains are major production regions for dry peas and cowpeas.

For growers in the Lubbock and Texas Panhandle region, Black-Eyed Peas can fit into rotations with:

Cotton
Wheat
Grain Sorghum
Corn
Peanuts
Other warm-season specialty crops

Their legume growth habit also gives growers a way to introduce a non-grass species into rotations that may otherwise be dominated by cereals or cotton.

Black-Eyed Pea Planting Recommendations

Black-Eyed Peas are a warm-season crop and should be planted after soils have warmed sufficiently for rapid germination and establishment.

Texas A&M’s statewide vegetable guidance recommends planting southern peas 2–10 weeks after the average frost-free date, depending on location and production system.

General Planting Information

Crop Type: Warm-season annual legume
Species: Cowpea / Southern Pea
Primary Uses: Dry pea production, fresh market, crop rotation, and soil improvement
Planting Season: Spring through summer
Planting Depth: Approximately 2–3 inches in Texas A&M garden guidance
Row Spacing: Approximately 24–36 inches
Plant Spacing: Approximately 4–6 inches
Soils: Performs well on sandy soils and can also grow on heavier loams
Water Requirement: Texas A&M lists approximately 15–20 inches during the crop season, with dryland potential in suitable environments

Commercial field planting rates will vary by variety, seed size, row spacing, equipment, and whether the crop is being grown for harvested peas, cover cropping, or another objective.

Contact Jack Seed & Supply for a Black-Eyed Pea seeding recommendation based on your acreage and production goal.

What Do Black-Eyed Peas Bring to the Field?

Crop Type: Warm-season annual legume

Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata

Crop Group: Southern Pea / Cowpea

Primary Uses: Dry pea production, fresh market, crop rotation, and soil improvement

Texas Adaptation: Statewide

Major Texas Production Areas: High Plains and Rolling Plains

Soil Preference: Sandy soils, with adaptation to heavier loams

Dryland Potential: Yes

Nitrogen Fixation: Yes, when properly nodulated

Typical Texas Black-Eye Yield: Approximately 1,500–2,000 lb./acre in Texas A&M’s crop guide

Season: Warm season

Market Uses: Dry peas, fresh shelled peas, local retail and wholesale

Texas A&M classifies Black-Eyed Peas among Texas’ important dry and southern pea crops and notes substantial historical acreage across the High Plains and Rolling Plains.