Vigna unguiculata
Available for purchase from 1 July 2025
Whippoorwill Cowpea is a treasured heirloom legume with roots that trace back to pre-1860s Africa. Often referred to by its folk name “Shinney Pea,” this variety journeyed across the Atlantic with the African slaves and was cultivated in the United States as early as the 1800s, even gracing the gardens of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Its name evokes the southern fields where the mournful cry of the whippoorwill once accompanied its harvest, making it not only a culinary gem but a cultural relic as well. The strain available here is the more prized brown speckled accession, one of the older and most historically accurate forms of this variety.
The earthy, nutty flavour of Whippoorwill Cowpea makes it a versatile kitchen staple. The young green pods can be steamed or stir-fried as snap beans, while the mature seeds, marbled in light brown and purple specks, are excellent dried or fresh in soups, stews and heritage dishes. Their robust, savoury notes recall mushrooms and asparagus, adding a rich depth to both traditional and contemporary meals.
To germinate Whippoorwill Cowpea successfully, sow seeds directly into warm, well-drained soil once all danger of frost has passed. Seeds benefit from a brief soak in water overnight before planting to hasten germination. Plant them approximately 2 to 3 cm deep in soil temperatures between 21 and 30°C. While not fussy, they perform best with full sun exposure and consistent moisture during early stages.
This variety grows vigorously, forming semi-vining to fully climbing plants that can reach 5 to 8 feet if given support. Its lush trifoliate foliage and delicate pale-purple to white flowers are a visual bonus in any garden. Pods mature in about 75 to 90 days, with edible green pods ready slightly earlier. Harvest indicators include pod length (7 to 9 cm), pod firmness, and visible seed swelling.
To maximise your harvest and enrich your soil, we strongly recommend inoculating Whippoorwill Cowpea with a nitrogen-fixing bacterial treatment like SoyGro Beanflo before planting. This symbiotic enhancement boosts nitrogen availability naturally, promoting healthier plants and better yields, particularly in nutrient-poor soils.
