Whippoorwill Cowpea Seed

Why Grow Whippoorwill Cowpea?

Historically Heat-Tolerant Whippoorwill Cowpea is a classic Southern heirloom valued for its resilience, productivity, and rich history. Named for its distinctive seeds that resemble whippoorwill eggs, this time-tested cowpea has been grown in the South for generations—including by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Its vigorous vines reach about 5 feet long and thrive in hot, dry conditions where many other crops struggle.

Reliable Production in Tough Soils with Dual Harvest Options Whippoorwill Cowpea produces 7–9 inch green pods and performs exceptionally well in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for low-input gardens. The plants are drought tolerant and highly productive, offering flexibility to harvest pods fresh for shelling or allow them to mature and dry for long-term storage. Easy to grow, historically significant, and dependable in challenging conditions, Whippoorwill Cowpea is a standout variety for gardeners who appreciate both performance and heritage.

Whippoorwill Cowpea Growing Tips

• When to Plant Cowpeas

Cowpeas are a "warm season" vegetable that thrive in hot and even dry conditions. They should planted once temperatures sufficiently warm in the mid to late spring months. In southern climates, you can also plant them in late August or early September for a fall crop of cowpeas.

Cowpeas should be directly sewn in the garden at a planting depth of approximately 1/2" deep. Cowpeas can be planted very thick. Place seeds 2-3" apart along the row or bed you're planting. Cowpeas also grow great when planted on double rows, maximizing space in your backyard garden.

To learn more about double row planting cowpeas, watch this video.

• How to Fertilize Cowpeas

Because they are a legume, cowpeas will "fix" their own nitrogen as they grow. This complex process involves the plants capturing atmospheric nitrogen and essentially adding it to the soil. As a result, cowpeas don't require much fertilization.

When growing them in very poor soil, it's not a bad idea to apply some pre-plant fertilizer to the soil. Sprinkle a little Coop Gro organic fertilizer along the planting furrow prior to planting. Besides that, cowpeas shouldn't need any additional fertilization as they grow.

• Harvesting Cowpeas

Cowpeas can be harvested at the fresh or dried stage. To harvest fresh pods, wait until the pods are completely filled with peas. The pods on many cowpea varieties will start to turn a different color as the peas inside the pods are enlarging and maturing. This is usually a great sign that fresh peas are ready to harvest.

You can also allow the pods to dry completely on the plant if you're wanting dried peas that will store without having to freeze them. Dried pods are also great for seed saving so you can plant a particular cowpea variety again next year.