Cowpeas For Cover Crops, Forage, & Silage

Heat-Loving Legume

Growing Guide

Cowpeas are adapted to a wide range of soils, but prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0. They thrive in hot, moist climates, but are also very drought tolerant. Like all cowpeas, they can be consumed by humans in the form of snap beans and dry beans. Cowpeas are perennial in USDA Zones 7 - 10, but are often grown in the Midwest as an annual in USDA Zone 5 and 6. Sow 30-90 lbs of seed per acre. Plant at a depth of 1/2 - 1 inch.

• Plant height: 24-36 inches
• Environment: full sun to partial shade
• USDA zones: 5 through 10

Plant Specifications

Cowpeas are an annual plant that grows in USDA zones 5 through 10. This plant is most commonly grown as a cover crop and to provide forage material for various wildlife and farm animals.

• Temperature: prefers heat
• Drought-tolerant: yes
• Edible: yes

Cowpeas (Vigna Unguiculata) - Cowpeas grow 24 - 36 inches tall and are very heat and drought tolerant. They are very hardy, making them an excellent choice for food plots in the southern United States. Deer, pheasant, turkey, quail and other wildlife eagerly seek out the foliage and grain produced by cowpeas as they grow to maturity.  Other animals such as: cattle, hogs, poultry, goats and other upland game birds will also enjoy feeding on cowpeas.

Cowpeas are the most heat loving legume found in the United States. They thrive in hot, moist climates, but are also very drought tolerant. Adapted to a wide range of soil types.   Commonly used by farmers for silage and as a cover crop, but also widely planted as a high protein forage. Cowpeas are adapted to a wide range of soils, but prefers well drained soils with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0.  Like all cowpeas, they can be consumed by humans in the form of snap beans and dry beans.

Cowpeas are perennial in USDA Zones 7 - 10, but are often grown in the midwest as an annual in USDA Zone 5 and 6.

Seeding Rate: 30 - 90 lbs per acre
Planting Depth: 1/2 - 1 inch deep