Ozark Razorback cowpeas are a stunning heirloom cultivar that brings the red and white colors of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks straight to your garden. These bushy plants produce an abundance of beautiful mottled peas with a creamy, delicious flavor that makes them stand out among cowpea varieties. Sourced from the late Blane Bourgeois of Salem, Arkansas, they mature in 75 to 90 days and thrive in full sun with moderate water, making them a productive addition to warm-season gardens.
Full Sun
Moderate
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Moderate
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The mottled red and white coloring of these peas is instantly recognizable and visually striking, drawing its distinctive appearance directly from Razorback tradition. Bush plants are remarkably productive, churning out peas throughout the growing season with minimal fuss. The creamy flavor sets these apart from other cowpea varieties, offering a richness that rewards fresh harvest and cooking. They germinate quickly in warm soil, sprouting in just 5 to 10 days, so you'll see action in your garden almost immediately.
These cowpeas are best enjoyed fresh, shelled, and cooked as a side dish where their creamy texture and rich flavor truly shine. They work beautifully in Southern comfort food preparations, stews, and rice dishes where their substance and taste can be fully appreciated. Fresh or dried, they're a pantry staple for any gardener seeking authentic heirloom vegetables.
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Direct sow Ozark Razorback cowpeas outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 70°F. Plant seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Seeds germinate quickly in warm soil, sprouting in 5 to 10 days.
Harvest pods when they reach mature size, typically 75 to 90 days after planting. Pick pods regularly throughout the season to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. For fresh eating, harvest when pods are full but still tender; for dried cowpeas, allow pods to mature fully on the plant and dry until the pods are brittle and brown.
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“This variety carries the story of Blane Bourgeois of Salem, Arkansas, who preserved and shared these seeds with the heirloom community. The peas earned their name from their striking resemblance to University of Arkansas Razorback colors, red and white combining in a beautiful mottled pattern. Bourgeois's legacy lives on through Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which sources and propagates this cultivar for home gardeners seeking authentic, regionally rooted varieties with genuine human history behind them.”