Blue Goose African (Field) Pea

Name: Blue Goose African (Field) Pea
Brand: APPALACHIAN SEED GROWERS COLLECTIVE
SKU: 02-4-013
Price: 4.25 USD
Availability: InStock

$4.25

Vigna unguiculata

Seeds per packet ~ 40

Germination: 94% Packed for 2025

Grower: Appalachian Seed Growers Collective

Origins and History
The Blue Goose African (Field) Pea (Vigna unguiculata) is an heirloom variety rooted in the agricultural traditions of the American South, with ancestry tracing back to Africa where cowpeas have been cultivated for thousands of years. Likely introduced to North America during the transatlantic slave trade, this variety became a staple in Southern farming communities, valued for its resilience in hot, dry climates and poor soils. Over generations, the Blue Goose developed a reputation for its dependable yields and adaptability, making it a treasured field pea among subsistence farmers and home gardeners alike.

Appearance and Characteristics
The Blue Goose African Field Pea produces vigorous, vining plants with bright green foliage and delicate blooms. The pods are slender, medium-length, and contain smooth, cream-colored peas marked by a distinctive bluish-gray “eye,” giving the variety its name. The plants are drought-tolerant, thrive in heat, and are well-suited to low-input farming systems. They mature in roughly 70–80 days for fresh eating and 90–100 days for dry peas, depending on growing conditions.

Culinary Uses
Highly versatile, Blue Goose peas can be enjoyed fresh, shelled and cooked soon after harvest, or left to dry on the vine for storage. When cooked, they produce a rich, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, making them ideal for traditional Southern dishes such as Hoppin’ John, field pea stews, and slow-simmered sides. The peas also pair well with smoked meats, fresh herbs, and garden vegetables, and their cooking liquid develops a savory “pot liquor” prized in many culinary traditions.

Growing Tips with Vegetation Zones and Sow Depth
This variety thrives in USDA Zones 7–10, performing best in full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Direct sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 65°F. Plant seeds 1–1.5 inches deep, spacing them 3–4 inches apart in rows 24–36 inches apart. Provide support if growing in smaller spaces, though the plants can be allowed to sprawl in traditional field culture. Blue Goose peas are tolerant of heat and drought but benefit from consistent moisture during flowering and pod set. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, as it encourages vine growth at the expense of pod production.

Harvesting Guidance
For fresh shelling peas, harvest when the pods are plump and well-filled but still green. For dry storage, allow the pods to mature fully on the vine until they turn tan and rattle when shaken. Pull entire plants to finish drying in a warm, airy place if rain threatens at maturity. Once completely dry, shell the peas and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to maintain flavor and viability for future planting.

FIELD PEA GROWING GUIDE

Botanical Origins of Vigna unguiculata
Vigna unguiculata, commonly known as cowpea, black-eyed pea, or southern pea, is a species of legume that originated in sub-Saharan Africa. Its wild relatives are native to tropical regions of West Africa, where the plant evolved in dry savanna ecosystems characterized by seasonal rainfall and poor soils. Genetic and archaeological evidence points to the Sahel region—spanning modern-day Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso—as the primary center of domestication. This region’s fluctuating climate favored plants that could tolerate drought, leading to the selection of early cowpea types adapted to marginal soils and variable moisture. The species’ genetic diversity is greatest in Africa, supporting its identification as the evolutionary cradle of the crop.

History of Domestication
Domestication of Vigna unguiculata likely began more than 3,000 years ago, when early African farmers began selecting plants with larger seeds, less pod shattering, and improved taste. These cultivated forms were closely associated with the rise of settled agriculture in West African communities that also grew millet and sorghum. Archaeobotanical finds from central Ghana and the Niger River basin confirm cowpea’s early presence in African farming systems. Its rapid domestication was driven by its multipurpose utility—as a source of protein-rich seeds, edible leaves, and soil-enriching green manure.

Spread and Diversification
From West Africa, domesticated cowpea spread along ancient trade routes both within Africa and beyond. It moved eastward into Ethiopia and down into southern Africa, where it diversified under local growing conditions and cultural preferences. Through trans-Saharan trade and contact with the Mediterranean world, Vigna unguiculata reached India by around 2,000 years ago, and later spread to Southeast Asia. The species was introduced to the Americas in the 16th–17th centuries via the transatlantic slave trade, where enslaved Africans carried seeds and culinary traditions that became embedded in Southern U.S. food culture. In the Americas, cowpea adapted to new environments and diversified into varieties such as the black-eyed pea, clay, cream, and crowder types. Today, it is a global crop cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, valued for its resilience, nitrogen-fixing ability, and central role in food security.