TomorrowSeeds - Iron and Clay Cowpea Seeds - 180+ Count - For 2026 Planting Southern Field Pea Cover

Iron and Clay Cowpeas are a delicious tan, black-eyed cowpeas with a rich history. Originally brought to the U.S. by enslaved African Americans, Iron and Clay peas sustained newly freed African Americans after the Civil War according to George Washington Carver's 1908 Cookbook of Field Pea Recipes. A cross between Iron cowpeas, which grew well in red soil, and Clay cowpeas, which grew well in clay, Iron and Clay cowpeas can grow well in almost any soil condition with little irrigation. Drought-tolerant, these are excellent for growing in the heat and can yield 3-4 harvests a year.  Produces purple flowers and 8-inch pods with peas made up of over 25% protein, delicious braised, boiled, or fried. Excellent for canning or freezing.

Also Known As: Iron Clay Peas, Mixed Cowpeas, Forage Cowpeas, Cover Crop Peas, Clay Field Peas, Iron Field Peas, Southern Forage Peas, Drought-Tolerant Cowpeas, Wildlife Cowpeas, and Dual-Purpose Cowpeas.

Plant Name: Cowpea, Iron and Clay
Latin Name: Vigna unguiculata
Days to Germinate: 7-14
Days to Harvest: 100
Plant Height: 3 - 4 Feet
Spread: 18 - 24 inches
Growth Habit: Vining
USDA Zones: 5-11
Lifespan: Annual
Brand: TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO: No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No
Seeds Packed For**: 2026
*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.