White Acre Southern Pea
Price: $2.95
SKU: 33004611Southern Pea (Cowpea)
70 to 85 days — This old mid-Atlantic heirloom cream pea matures early and produces over a long period of time. It is a great choice for home gardening and for fresh eating. The plants are large and bushy with some runners. The peas are small, creamy white in color, and excellent tasting. Similar to 'Lady'. Each ounce is approximately 90 seeds.
Sow seeds directly outdoors as soon as soil temperatures reach 70F. Optimal germination occurs between 75 to 95F. Plant ½ to one inch deep, 1 to 2 seeds every two inches. Keep moist until germination. Thin to one plant every 3 to 6 inches in rows spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Irrigation is normally not necessary as they are renowned for their ability to grow under harsh conditions. For improved germination of hard seed, soak in warm water for four hours just prior to sowing.
Customer Reviews:
By Portia Devine (Waynesville, NC) on September 1, 2024
When I grew up south of Raleigh my parents grew these peas, but we called them "6 week peas." Now I live in WNC and have searched forever for my beloved "6 week peas." I planted these this year and lo and behold, these are the same peas. Up here, if I want them I have to grow them, bc NOBODY around here grows them. We love them with some added tomato and onion, and a hoecake of cornbread. I'm pretty certain this bowl will be my last pickings this season, bc my plants are drying up and dying. Other than your average "Sweet Peas or Garden Peas" these are the best in my opinion.
By Tosha on April 12, 2020
When I was growing up in Florida we would eat these peas as green acre peas , picked slightly immature and hulled. And boy do these peas bring back the memories. They are vigorous and semi vining. They produce all summer long here in Tennessee. No diseases or pests to speak of. I highly recommend them for eating fresh and they store well frozen.
By F. HAWKINS on August 24, 2016
The 'White Acre' peas have been terrific. I pick them, blanch them and run them through Mr. Pea Sheller, then cook and package them in Zip-lock snack bags in three ounce serving size. I flatten the bags (saves space) and freeze them. We currently have over seventy packs in the freezer now after five pickings. After the last picking, I stripped the plants in the hopes of setting a second crop.
I have now made my first picking off the new second crop, and anticipate at least two more pickings. What a great plant! Incredibly productive and SO tasty!
Harvest Tip: When 'White Acre' peas mature, the pods begin to lose their bright green color. They will fade a bit and then start to pick up traces of yellow and/or red. Watch your peas carefully and pick only the pods that have begun to fade and/or develop red/yellow streaks.
Once you start picking, plan to pick every two to three days. This assures you will get the greatest amount of mature, but not dry, peas for immediate cooking or processing. Since we were in a drought, I would pick one day and water the next. I was amazed at the quantity of peas these plants produced. (I also inoculated the seed to assure good root nodules.)
Anyway, thanks a million!
By Michele Ascher on April 26, 2015
I see these at the farm stand once in a blue moon but for the most part, if I want them, I have to grow them myself. They are short and compact and easy to grow except for battling the aphids. They are small and shelling can be tedious but they're worth it. Great in a shelled and blanched in a salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh basil and a lemon vinaigrette. We love them.
